After the bombs fell and communications went dead, mayor Elmer Mercier assured the people of Prince George that all was fine and the situation was in control. After several days of no contact outside the city, a small group were sent west to Vanderhoof and further on to Prince Rupert to see what was going on. The situation was similar in Vanderhoof, but when reaching Prince Rupert things changed. Several refugees fleeing Alaska had arrived bringing news of nuclear strikes on the state, and within several more days, word was brought of Vancouver's destruction. The scouting party returned to Prince George with the news and Mercier declared a state of emergency.