If a flood is about to happen, the most important thing you can do is follow all evacuation alerts and orders and follow all instructions from your band office, municipality, regional district or local authority.
The River Forecast Centre website issues advisories and warnings about current or expected flood risks. You can also follow @EmergencyInfoBC on X (formerly Twitter) to get notifications for Flood Watches and Flood Warnings. There are three stages of notification.
River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed the river bank. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
River levels have exceeded the river bank or will exceed the river bank imminently, and flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers will result.
Learn about what happens during an evacuation including before, during, and after an Evacuation Order is issued.
You can prevent or reduce flood damage to your home by building a sandbag dike. It takes two people about one hour to fill and place 100 sandbags, giving you a 1-x-20-foot wall. Contact your local government for information on obtaining sandbags.
Height above dike | Bags required |
---|---|
1/3 metre | 600 |
2/3 metre | 2,000 |
1 metre | 3,400 |
Alerts, evacuations, loss and worry – floods can affect us all. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone.
Stress takes a toll on your physical and mental health. Eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep lowers stress and helps us cope.
Talking helps, whether it’s with family, friends, a doctor or counsellor. Crisis lines are available to listen and help any time. You can contact:
Take care of the vulnerable. Assisting others can help you regain a sense of purpose and community as you confront the challenges together.