Emergency Preparedness

Merritt on Nov. 15, 2021, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Photo: Bailee Allen).

B.C. evacuees can now get emergency funding through e-transfers from the province

Emergency Support Services e-transfer registration requires BC Services Card app

Merritt on Nov. 15, 2021, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Photo: Bailee Allen).
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, warning temperatures could rise to 32 degrees today. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay) (Courtesy of Pixabay)

British Columbians told to prepare as temperatures set to ramp up this weekend

Province issues heat-safety tips ahead of potential heat waves

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, warning temperatures could rise to 32 degrees today. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay) (Courtesy of Pixabay)
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Feds deliver $870M of promised $5B disaster recovery fund to B.C.

Money to go to rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by 2021’s fires, floods

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Mike Farnworth speaks to invitees of the Build Back Better, Together intergovernmental flood recovery forum in Abbotsford on July 14. (Twitter/Watershed Watch Salmon Society)

Flood recovery forum in Fraser Valley focused on ‘breaking down silos’

Governments, private sector representatives met in unprecedented way to discuss rebuilding region

Mike Farnworth speaks to invitees of the Build Back Better, Together intergovernmental flood recovery forum in Abbotsford on July 14. (Twitter/Watershed Watch Salmon Society)
A man plays a guitar in the shade at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 28, 2021, during the heat dome event that set temperature records across the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Policy revamp might save lives in next heat dome, but so could community, say B.C. experts

Checking in on neighbours, vulnerable could save lives, experts say

A man plays a guitar in the shade at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 28, 2021, during the heat dome event that set temperature records across the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020.The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather. Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. urges preparedness and strategy to fight extreme climate events

Communities urged to take steps to minimize the potential damage

B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020.The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather. Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A wildfire burns in the mountains north of Lytton on July 1, 2021. According to a survey 2022 survey by BCAA, most British Columbians fear more extreme weather events. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

85% of British Columbians fear another extreme weather event, but few are prepared: survey

Almost half of survey respondents taking “wait-and-see” approach, BCAA found

A wildfire burns in the mountains north of Lytton on July 1, 2021. According to a survey 2022 survey by BCAA, most British Columbians fear more extreme weather events. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. launches heat alert system following 2021’s deadly heat dome

System to have 2 levels: warning and extreme heat emergencies

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Review into B.C.’s 2021 heat dome deaths finds 93% didn’t have air conditioning

Cooling requirements in new builds among recommendations by BC Coroners Service’s report

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A small plane had to make an emergency landing Sunday, May 22, at the Vernon Regional Airport. (File photo)

Plane makes emergency landing Sunday at Okanagan airport

Nobody injured after small plane touches down at Vernon Regional Airport without landing gear extended

A small plane had to make an emergency landing Sunday, May 22, at the Vernon Regional Airport. (File photo)
President and founder of Save A Dog Network, Katie Powell gets a kiss from a dog after bringing bags of dog food by canoe to stranded homes during flooding in Peguis First Nation, Man., Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dozens of experts advising the government on the best way to adapt to the reality of climate change say we need to do more to prepare infrastructure for the threats of extreme weather and get faster to help Canadians recover when their lives and livelihoods are threatened by floods, fires and major storms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Resilient infrastructure, faster disaster recovery needed to adapt to climate change

Since the 1960s, Canada has moved from about 30 climate-related disasters a decade to more than 100

President and founder of Save A Dog Network, Katie Powell gets a kiss from a dog after bringing bags of dog food by canoe to stranded homes during flooding in Peguis First Nation, Man., Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dozens of experts advising the government on the best way to adapt to the reality of climate change say we need to do more to prepare infrastructure for the threats of extreme weather and get faster to help Canadians recover when their lives and livelihoods are threatened by floods, fires and major storms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice. (Norman Galimski/Black Press)

B.C. rolls out emergency preparedness funds for First Nations and municipalities

Funding will go toward capacity building for emergency support in those communities

B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice. (Norman Galimski/Black Press)
The District of Saanich hosts the next talk in its Emergency Preparedness Speaker Series this Wednesday (May 4) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Seismic speaker set to educate Saanich residents this week

Emergency Preparedness Week speaker gives update on earthquake/tsunami risk reduction

The District of Saanich hosts the next talk in its Emergency Preparedness Speaker Series this Wednesday (May 4) at 7 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
There were nearly 400 earthquakes recorded in Canada in the month of April 2022. (MAP COURTESY EARTHQUAKES CANADA)

400 and counting: Vancouver Island epicentre of a busy earthquake month in Canada

Few regions in Canada escape Earth’s shake, rattle and roll, says seismologist

There were nearly 400 earthquakes recorded in Canada in the month of April 2022. (MAP COURTESY EARTHQUAKES CANADA)
Saanich emergency program officer Capt. Erin Stockill and secretary Paige Marshall demonstrate how to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit. (Courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)

Saanich Fire Department offers tips ahead of Emergency Preparedness Week

Take time between May 1 and 7 to learn about potential disasters, department says

Saanich emergency program officer Capt. Erin Stockill and secretary Paige Marshall demonstrate how to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit. (Courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

14 B.C. First Nations and communities receiving funds to create new evacuation plans

Disasters in 2021 proved importance of evacuating people quickly in large-scale emergency situations

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
Tofino’s tsunami sirens sounded off on Saturday morning as an advisory prompted beach closures. (Westerly file photo)

Tsunami advisory an important reminder for B.C. coastal communities to be prepared

Volcanic eruption near Tonga Islands activates emergency operations on Saturday

Tofino’s tsunami sirens sounded off on Saturday morning as an advisory prompted beach closures. (Westerly file photo)
The warming centre in Tahsis last week. Tahsis is one of the communities getting a delivery of food this week. Photo courtesy SRD

Food delivery coming for remote Vancouver Island communities

Roads in poor condition since last week’s snow, lengthy power outages

The warming centre in Tahsis last week. Tahsis is one of the communities getting a delivery of food this week. Photo courtesy SRD
Tractors are seen in a flooded field in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. set to use Alert Ready system when next storm strikes in days ahead

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced plans to use the system during a Sunday briefing

Tractors are seen in a flooded field in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A vehicle is submerged in flood waters along a road in Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Experts say B.C. rainstorms highlight increasing flood risks and need to prepare

Insurers say flood damage is already by far the most expensive type of extreme weather risk

A vehicle is submerged in flood waters along a road in Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward