Emergency Preparedness

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
Bridge over Mission Creek at KLO and Spiers roads. (Photo/Jacqueline Gelineau)

Flooding in parts of Kelowna as Mission Creek rises

Parts of Mission Creek Greenway have been closed

Bridge over Mission Creek at KLO and Spiers roads. (Photo/Jacqueline Gelineau)
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
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Flood risk increases considerably in South Okanagan

‘Prepare now for spring freshet and potential flooding,’ a local public notice says

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
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
The Okanagan Indian Band has activated its emergency operations centre as spring freshet increases the risk of flooding in the community. (OKIB photo)

Spring freshets trigger Okanagan Indian Band’s emergency operations centre

The band activated its EOC Friday due to increased risk of flooding

The Okanagan Indian Band has activated its emergency operations centre as spring freshet increases the risk of flooding in the community. (OKIB photo)
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)
There were nearly 400 earthquakes recorded in Canada in the month of April 2022. (MAP COURTESY EARTHQUAKES CANADA)

400 and counting: April a busy month for earthquakes in BC

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)
A Kelowna resident braces for rising Okanagan Lake water during flooding in 2017. (Photo/Carli Berry)

Central Okanagan Emergency urges to prepare for potential disasters

May 1-7 is Emergency Preparedness Week

A Kelowna resident braces for rising Okanagan Lake water during flooding in 2017. (Photo/Carli Berry)
The Golden Light Horse Club is looking for input on emergency preparedness. (Claire Palmer photo)

Golden Light Horse Club working on emergency preparedness plan

After natural disaster swept the province last year, the club is working towards a formal plan

The Golden Light Horse Club is looking for input on emergency preparedness. (Claire Palmer photo)
On May 6, 2017, the City of Armstrong declared a state of emergency as low lying areas experienced significant flooding due to heavy rainfall and snow melt. Temporary road closures were in effect in the downtown core and in adjacent neighbourhoods due to flooding on the roadways. (City of Armstrong photo)

North Okanagan community preparing for floods, fires

Emergency management planning priorities adopted by council

On May 6, 2017, the City of Armstrong declared a state of emergency as low lying areas experienced significant flooding due to heavy rainfall and snow melt. Temporary road closures were in effect in the downtown core and in adjacent neighbourhoods due to flooding on the roadways. (City of Armstrong photo)
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)
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
Sarah De Francesco, left, Albert Huynh, right, and Leanne Opuyes, back left, cool off in the frigid Lynn Creek water in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, June 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s inadequate heat wave supports heightened risks to vulnerable people: report

B.C. reported 569 “heat-related deaths” in the province from June 20 to July 29

Sarah De Francesco, left, Albert Huynh, right, and Leanne Opuyes, back left, cool off in the frigid Lynn Creek water in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, June 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emergency kit items. (Stock photo)

Majority of British Columbians have poor emergency preparedness: poll

Less than 25 per cent of British Columbians have an emergency kit and plan

Emergency kit items. (Stock photo)