Subscribe to local emergency (push or opt-in) alerts to stay informed about local emergencies, or evacuation notifications e.g. shelter-in-community, shelter-in-place, evacuation alerts, evacuation rescinds. 

Sign up for RDN's Voyent Alert! notifications. Registration for the service is free, simple and anonymous. You can choose how you would like to receive alerts, either through a mobile app, email, text message or phone call. 

It's important to understand the difference between push (opt-in) local alerts issued by the RDN and (intrusive) emergency alerts issued by the national public alerting system. Both alert types are important, will keep you informed and provide guidance in times of emergency. The different alerting systems will be activated based on different criteria.

Learn more: Emergency Alerts and the National Public Alerting System | CRTC 

•  Ask a friend or relative who lives out-of-province to be your out-of-area contact. This person can be a message relay, helping you get updates to family and friends 
• Pick someone who is not on the West Coast of Canada 
• Create an out-of-area contact card (or piece of paper) with your out-of-area contact's name and phone number 
  • Print a copy for each family member to carry with them at all times   
  • Put your out-of-area contact number in your cell phone contact list 
• Tell family and friends who live outside BC to call your out-of-area contact to share information about you and your family after a disaster 

Rely on trusted information sources for best advice and real-time instructions during an emergency, including:

• RDN website 
• Current Alerts | RDN 
• RDN social media
  • Facebook  
  • X (formerly Twitter) 
• EmergencyInfoBC 
• PreparedBC 
  • Visit PreparedBC on Facebook 
  • Visit PreparedBC on X (Twitter) 
  • Visit PreparedBC on Instagram 
• Weather information and alerts (Environment Canada)  
• DriveBC 
• River Forecast Centre (Province of British Columbia) 
• Information on earthquakes (Earthquakes Canada) 
• Information on tsunamis (Earthquakes Canada)
  • U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers 

Is your cell phone charged? Do you have backup power sources ready? Will you rely on a battery-operated radio or hand cranked radio? Do you have an old phone you can plug in to a landline, if required? Have you a printed or handwritten copy of your key contacts, in case your cell phone is not available or working? If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, learn more at Get Prepared | RDN.  

Being able to communicate with family, friends and emergency responders during an emergency is critical. Keep in mind that everyday communication devices might not work properly. 

• Get in touch with your out-of-area contact. Although local phone systems can be busy immediately following an emergency, long distance circuits are often unaffected and can be used to provide updates and check on friends and family. Tell your out-of-area contact how you are, where you are, and where you plan to be. Keep your calls short. If possible, use non-voice channels like text messaging, email or social media, as these use less bandwidth than voice communications and can work even when phone service has been disrupted. If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information.  Keeping calls short also saves the battery life of your mobile phone. 
• If you are unable to complete a call, wait ten seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion 
• Keep extra batteries or a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit. Consider getting a solar-powered, crank, or vehicle phone charger, or if you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card in your kit 
• If you have been evacuated and have call-forwarding on your home phone, use it to forward calls to your cell phone 
• If you do not have a hands-free device in your car, stop driving or pull over to the side of the road before texting, making a call or using the device 
• Keep your contacts up to date on your phone, email and other channels 
• Note, cordless phones rely on electricity and will not work during a power outage. If you have a landline, keep at least one corded phone in your home. 

(Source: Staying in touch during emergencies - Government of Canada)