Emergency Preparedness

While Sooke’s coastal setting usually provides mild summers, we’re seeing more frequent and longer heat events.

Prolonged heat can affect power supply, worsen air quality, and create health risks - especially for vulnerable residents and pets.

How to prepare:

• Keep windows, blinds, and curtains closed during the day to block heat.
• Use fans or air conditioning if possible, and spend time in cooler areas like SEAPARC Leisure Complex or the library.
• Drink water regularly and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat.
• Check on neighbours and relatives — particularly those who may not have cooling options.
• Never leave pets or children unattended in vehicles.

Sooke’s treed landscapes and local parks also provide shaded spaces to cool down. During extreme heat, nature’s waterparks at the Sooke Potholes, the Sooke River, and our coastal shoreline can offer a refreshing reprieve. When visiting these areas, be mindful that water levels, currents, and temperatures can change quickly. Always use caution near the water, wear appropriate footwear, and swim only within your comfort and ability level. Ensure children are supervised closely.

Sooke’s winters are generally mild, but cold snaps, snow, and ice can occur - causing power outages, icy conditions, and travel disruptions. Being ready for a few cold days helps everyone stay safe and comfortable until temperatures rise again.

How to prepare:

• Have extra blankets, flashlights, and batteries ready.
• Keep an alternate heat source if possible (fireplace, wood stove, or generator) and know how to use it safely.
• Stock your emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, and pet supplies.
• Dress in layers and limit outdoor activity in extreme cold.
• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full and a winter kit (blanket, sand, shovel) inside your car.
• For electric vehicle (EV) owners: cold weather can reduce driving range. Keep your EV charged and, if possible, plugged in when temperatures drop. Plan trips accordingly and use public charging stations when needed.
• Use caution on icy surfaces - whether walking or driving. Only travel if you feel comfortable and your vehicle is properly equipped for winter conditions.

If the power goes out for an extended period, check in on neighbours and monitor local updates for information on warming areas.

During daytime hours, public facilities such as SEAPARC Leisure Complex and the Sooke Library can provide warm, welcoming spaces to take a break from the cold. 

During prolonged cold events, an overnight emergency shelter may be activated through the Sooke Shelter Society at Hummingbird Place to support those without access to housing.

High winds are one of the most common weather events in Sooke - especially during the fall and winter months. These storms can knock out power, down trees, and may block roads. When combined with King Tides or heavy rainfall, high winds can also make shoreline areas and riverbanks dangerous due to large waves, drifting logs, and other debris.

How to prepare:

• Secure patio furniture, garbage bins, and other loose items around your home.
• Charge phones, flashlights, and power banks before a storm hits.
• Have a backup light source—avoid candles due to fire risk; use battery-operated lanterns instead.
• Know how to manually open your garage door if the power goes out.
• Unplug electronics during outages to prevent damage when power returns.
• Avoid unnecessary travel until winds subside and crews have cleared debris.

Stay away from water during wind events.

Areas like the Sooke River, Whiffin Spit, and other waterfront locations can be especially hazardous. High winds can create unpredictable waves and strong currents, and when combined with King Tides, may send logs, branches, and other debris onto shore. Keep a safe distance from the water’s edge and never attempt to retrieve items or take photos during storm surges.

To report outages or downed lines, contact BC Hydro at 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376). Stay at least 10 metres away from any fallen wires and treat them as live.

Sooke’s coastal terrain means rainfall is a normal part of life, particularly in the fall and winter months. While the District’s stormwater system is designed to manage runoff, intense or prolonged rain can lead to localized flooding, overflowing ditches, or temporary drainage issues.

How to prepare:

• Clear gutters, drains, and culverts on your property before major storms.
• Check and clear catch basins near your home to help prevent street flooding—use the Catch Basin Locator Map to find ones closest to you.
• Keep ditches and stormwater pathways free of leaves, branches, and debris.
• Store valuables off the floor in basements or low-lying areas.
• Have sandbags available if your property is flood-prone.
• Avoid driving or walking through flooded roads—even shallow water can be dangerous and hide washouts.

During periods of heavy rain, water levels in local rivers and along the shoreline can rise quickly. Keep children and pets away from creek banks, river edges, and coastal areas, where currents and slippery conditions can create serious hazards.

If flooding occurs on public property or drainage issues develop near your home, please report it through the District’s Service Request Portal. District staff can attend to assess the situation, confirm that neighbourhood stormwater systems are working as intended, and advise if additional actions or tactics are recommended.

A community sandbag station is also available at the Ed Macgregor Park parking lot from late-October to late-March, offering free sand and bags for residents to fill and use on their properties.

Sooke’s forested setting and natural beauty come with seasonal wildfire risk, especially during hot, dry summer months. While wildfire is a natural part of B.C.’s landscape, it’s important that we all take steps to reduce risk and protect our homes, neighbourhoods, and natural surroundings.

Sooke Fire Rescue Services leads the community’s FireSmart Program, helping residents take practical actions that make a real difference in reducing wildfire hazards around their homes and properties. Through this program, residents can book a free FireSmart home assessment with trained local staff, receive customized recommendations, and access a $1,000 rebate to help with eligible FireSmart improvements.

These local efforts are part of the District’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) - a collaborative strategy that outlines how Sooke is reducing wildfire risk, enhancing emergency response capacity, and supporting community education and awareness.

How to FireSmart your property:

• Clear dry leaves, needles, and branches from gutters, roofs, and decks.
• Keep woodpiles, propane tanks, and combustible materials at least 10 metres away from buildings.
• Maintain a one-metre non-combustible zone around your home using gravel, rock, or concrete.
• Mow lawns, prune trees, and remove dead vegetation to reduce available fuel.
• Use ember-resistant vents and cover openings under decks and eaves.
• Ensure your address is clearly visible and access routes are clear for emergency vehicles.
• Store firewood and yard waste responsibly — never burn yard debris.

Did you know?

A few simple steps can make your home up to 90% more fire-resistant to airborne embers — the leading cause of home ignition during wildfires. Small actions like cleaning gutters, sweeping decks, and moving patio furniture away from your house during hot, dry periods can make a big difference.

FireSmart tip:

Walk around your home and yard with a “wildfire lens.” Look for anything that could catch an ember — from doormats to planters — and relocate or remove those items during high-risk periods.

Book a FREE FireSmart Home and Property Assessment:

Not sure where to start? Call 250-642-5422 to schedule a free home assessment for an on-site evaluation and action report with recommendations on the next steps to FireSmart your home and property.