BC floods
• Why are they happening?
• Preparation and safety
• How to help those impacted by floods/landslides/mudslides
Why are they happening?
• These conditions are not just being caused by “natural” disasters. They are “unnatural” disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change and exploitative land and resource management
• Old growth forests prevent floods and landslides. Canopy reduces raindrop impact and erosion, roots absorb water, shade allows snow to melt at a staggered pace, and old growth trees capture, hold and release water slowly, regulating flood erosion risk (Sierra Club, 2021)
• Clear cutting of forests since the 1980s has reduced the natural regulating services surrounding towns like Merritt, making them more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme rainfall (Heartwood Doc, 2021)
See @sierraclubbc’s report and the Heartwood Doc video (https://www.facebook.
Preparation and Safety
• In case your power goes out, have an emergency kit, non-perishable food and flashlights and extra batteries on hand, as well as a battery powered radio if you have one
• If you live in an area that is more likely to be evacuated, have some camping gear packed and ready to go – with the things mentioned above as well as rain gear, tarps, and dry clothing, socks and underwear
• Register with the BC Government Emergency Support Services if you are on evacuation order or you have been displaced from your home
• If you need to be rescued by boat, call 911 or see a list of folks who are able to come with their boats on @monikahibbs page
• It can be good to stock up on essential food as delivery will be limited but DO NOT take more than what you need / hoard food – remember that everyone in your community is in need right now too and that there are likely people who are more vulnerable than you! – This is also an opportunity to see what local food suppliers you can buy from as local suppliers have a limited capacity to deliver their products right now too – see for example @pekoproduce
• Call your loved ones or mark your status on social media as safe so that those who care about you do not have to worry!
How to help those impacted by floods/landslides/mudslides
• Offer a place to stay for your friends and loved ones who may be in an evacuated or at risk area
• Donate to @redcrosscanada @BCSPCA @migrantrightsca (farmers have been impacted in devastating ways by these events) and stay engaged with your municipal government, local go-fund-me call outs and news updates to see what other places you can donate to
• If you have a boat and can help rescue evacuees, contact Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue at 604-852-7271
• Donate tarps, bottled water, ready to eat food items and non-perishable food items, gift cards, towels, blankets, new and unopened socks and underwear + toiletries
• Bring donations to: Unwin park, 13313 68 Ave, Surrey; Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib at 152 St and 68 Ave, Surrey;
Visit Abbotsford.ca for more info and follow the hashtags #bcfloods #bcfloodsrelief
Sharable infographics:
