Could it happen here? That was likely one of the first questions in many people's minds in B.C. after reacting to the horror of last month's tsunami tragedy in southeast Asia.
As if we needed more reminders of the destructive power of nature and the threats we face on the B.C. coast, this week's floods and the horrific mudslide that claimed a life in North Vancouver this week sharpen our focus - and our fears - even more.
The provincial government has started to take action, handing out $1 million in grants to dozens of coastal communities to help them make proper plans if the unthinkable happened here at home.
There's only one problem: Squamish seems to be the only oceanfront community in all of southwest B.C. not to be included on the list.
We know that as it currently stands, Squamish doesn't look much like an oceanfront community, but a quick look at a map will tell you what you need to know.
We're not talking about a massive amount of money - $10,000 for most communities and $20,000 for those most likely to suffer the largest damage from a tsunami on the west coast of Vancouver Island. So we doubt it's a budget issue.
We're left scratching our heads. Surely this has to be either an oversight - not the first or last, given our current situation in Victoria - or the government has good information that thanks to Squamish's protected positioning at the mouth of Howe Sound, a tsunami will have little or no effect on us.
If we are out of the tsunami danger zone, that's great news - news that the government should waste no time in sharing with the community.
There is, of course, the remote possibility that Squamish was intentionally overlooked. Mayor Ian Sutherland did just say publicly that we have not been well served by our MLA.
But that's as unthinkable as a tsunami itself. No government or MLA, no matter how slighted, would ever play such politics with an issue that could literally mean the difference between life and death.
The province needs to either show us how a tsunami won't affect Squamish or pony up the money it's given to nearly every other coastal community in B.C.
Either way, we look forward to hearing the good news.
