B.C. prepares for flood and fire seasons, will test emergency alert Wednesday

British Columbia is taking steps to prepare for the upcoming flood and fire seasons by expanding relief and alert programs.

In preparation for the upcoming potential weather events, including spring flooding, Emergency Management B.C. has been providing communities with sandbags, pre-positioning sandbag machines, other flood control assets, and coordinating flood assessments.

The province is also expanding the hazards available for use through the Broadcast Intrusive Alert Ready system to include imminent threats from floods and wildfires.

“This is the system that warns the public of dangers through TV and radio, and the alerts we’ve been receiving on our cell phones over the last two years,” said Public Safety Minister, Mike Farnworth.

“Previously, we had been prepared to deploy the system for tsunami warnings, civil emergencies, and amber alerts, but we are now online for flood dangers and local governments have been contacted and informed on how to request an alert.”

The alert service will also be expanded again in June to include wildfires.

The system is not ready to include heat warnings, but work is underway to determine if Alert Ready could be used in those instances.

“When it comes to the heat alert, there’s specific health issue implications around heat and it’s important that we work very closely with the Ministry of Health in determining what is the best way to use a heat alert, and when it should be done,” said Farnworth.

“For example would it be for a certain temperature range? Just in certain areas? The work is underway and we will have it in place, but we want to make sure we do it right and we want to make sure it’s done in the best way possible, and that’s why [the Ministry of Health] is so critical in the implementation.”

The Broadcast Alert Ready System will be tested at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.

The test alert will be broadcast on radio and television stations. Wireless devices, including mobile phones, will receive a message that reads:

“This is a TEST of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System, issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family. For further information, go to: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. This is ONLY a TEST, no action is required.”

The testing of the system coincides with Emergency Preparedness Week.

The provincial government is rolling out previously announced changes to the Disaster Financial Assistance Program to help people affected by floods, wildfires and other natural disasters.

“The catastrophic flooding in November 2021 emphasized the limits of our Disaster Financial Assistance Program, and given the scale of the disaster, we thought it was time to make changes,” said Farnworth.

“These changes, which are retroactive to November’s floods, will help ensure people, businesses, First Nations and local governments impacted by severe flooding are not facing insurmountable costs.”

The province is also enhancing the program to ensure people can access the financial assistance quicker and easier.

As it’s Emergency Preparedness Week, British Columbians are also being encouraged to be prepared for natural disasters by being ready to evacuate; by having plans in place for family and loved ones; and by having emergency supplies readily available.

The province encourages people to visit the Prepared B.C. website to find out more details on how to be ready for a natural disaster.