A Daily Hive guide names five B.C. places to consider in a hypothetical zombie outbreak

With Halloween approaching, the B.C. government has a website devoted to zombie outbreak preparedness. The province ran a zombie preparedness campaign that began and ended in 2012, but the website was updated earlier this year. B.C. is the country’s third-largest province by total area. The guide says an emergency plan would depend on the type of zombies and how infection spreads: are they slow-moving, unable to see but able to hear, or fast runners? Would infection spread through a bite or saliva? It also notes that most B.C. residents lack earthquake preparedness kits.

The B.C. government recommends keeping a vehicle’s fuel tank at least half full and having an emergency kit or grab-and-go bag ready. Suggested supplies include non-perishable food, a can opener, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first-aid kit, face masks, toiletries, contact lens replacements, important documents, a whistle and small amounts of cash. The province recommends four litres of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. A phone charger may also be useful, as a phone could still help without network service.

The guide says densely populated urban areas would likely be among the worst places to be. If an infection began spreading, it could spread faster in the Vancouver area than in the B.C. Interior. The Interior has resources and food, while high terrain and mountainous areas may offer an advantage because most zombies struggle to climb. Colder areas could also help: people can prepare for cold weather, while the undead may not fare as well. The province also suggests having an out-of-province contact. The guide says stricter gun laws mean Canadians generally have less access to firearms than their American counterparts, so people would need to think of other ways to defend themselves if necessary.

Rentola, a rental website, named Abbotsford and Kelowna among its top 10 cities for surviving a zombie apocalypse in 2023; Victoria and Vancouver did not fare as well. The guide suggests five possible places in B.C.: Kelowna, for mobility, self-sufficiency and resources; Kitimat, where the landscape and limited entry points could provide natural protection; Vernon, whose surrounding agricultural land could help after the initial outbreak; Powell River, for its natural geography; and Bella Coola, whose abundant resources could provide natural food sources and whose terrain could challenge a typical zombie. The article closes by noting that the zombies might not be able to swim.