Canada: At-risk southwestern BC municipalities consider earthquake coverage
By Jacqueline Nelson
Municipalities in southwestern British Columbia are considering buying insurance to bring some crucial infrastructure back online quickly in the event of an earthquake.
The province faces a 1-in-3 chance that an earthquake strong enough to cause significant damage will hit its western edge in the next 50 years, according to Natural Resources Canada. The shaking ground and subsequent tsunami could incapacitate key ports, disrupt global supply chains and wipe out many homes. It could also destroy infrastructure crucial to the functioning of many communities, such as water and gas lines, roadways and bridges, as well as damaging hospitals, schools and other government structures.