BC Floods

See EmergencyInfoBC for current flooding information, including a summary of evacuation orders, alerts, and rescinds. Includes links to local government/authority websites for the most up-to-date information about local areas. Information also available in map format at EmergencyMapBC.

Twitter @EmergencyInfoBC: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC

When required, an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be opened by the Regional District to support the emergency or disaster; an EOC is responsible for various duties such as declaring states of local emergency (SOLEs) as well as issuing evacuation orders and alerts.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) provides personalized recovery support to evacuees impacted by the recent floods, including steps for early and long-term recovery. Case managers help individuals plan for returning home, understand insurance and community resources, and help with goal setting and making informed decisions.

ESS Information Centre (EmergencyInfoBC): 1-800-585-9559 Hours are 8:30 am to 4 pm daily; may change according to need.

Canadian Red Cross has been providing emergency support services to evacuees in various ways, see website for more information. 

Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) is an online platform to help people who have been displaced register as an evacuee. The site links to a form for people who have been instructed to self-register for ESS. Assistance with self-registration can be obtained by calling ESS Information Centre: 1-800-585-9559.

Canadian Red Cross is providing one-time financial assistance to households who were evacuated from their primary home due to flooding and extreme weather event that occured Nov 14 to 16, 2021. The $2,000 amount ($1,000 from the BC Government and $1,000 from the Red Cross) helps cover immediate needs related to evacuation and re-entry. Registration with the Red Cross is required: call 1-800-863-6582 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week.

Disaster Financial Assistance
Those impacted by recent flooding may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available.

Information regarding DFA may be obtained from:
 Emergency Management BC
 Phone: 1-888-257-4777
 Email: dfa@gov.bc.ca
 Website: www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance

ServiceBC Support Line
Information and referral services related to the BC Floods; answers inquiries about emergency support services, disaster financial assistance, insurance, road conditions, mental health supports, agriculture, and water quality etc. Services are available in various languages by interpretation, hours are 7:30 am to 5 pm, and can be reached at 1-833-376-2452.

Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits
Individuals may apply for EI benefits If unable to work due to flooding; see Employment and Social Development Canada for details.

Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC)
ICBC is prioritizing waiving replacement fees to obtain new driver's license, BC Services Card, and BC Identification Card.

BC Hydro
Bill credit and payment plans for evacuees  https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/evacuee-help.html

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
IBC can answer insurance questions related to flooding in BC.
Phone: 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422)
Website: http://www.ibc.ca/bc/

BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA)
BCEDA lists resources for flood impacted individuals and businesses

Accessing recovery information and services

Abbotsford Flood Recovery General Inquiries
City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way
Phone: 604-864-5688     
Website: Flood Response
Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday

Cache Creek Flood Recovery General Inquiries
Gold Country Office, 1095 Todd Road
By appointment, call or email to book.
Phone: 250-457-6606
Email: goldountry@telus.net

Merritt Support Centre
102-1700 Garcia Street
Phone: 1-877-665-0341
Website: https://home.merritt.ca/ 
Email: returnhome@merritt.ca Facebook: Merritt Home & Recovery
Hours are 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday

Okanagan-Similkameen - Emergency Operations Centre
Email: recoverymanager@rdos.bc.ca
Phone: 250-490-4225

Princeton Resiliency Centre
111 Vermillion Avenue
Email: communitynavigator@princeton.ca
Phone (Community Navigator): 250-295-5371 
Hours: call anytime but for in-person services, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (call for hours).

Thompson-Nicola Regional District - Emergency Operations Centre
Phone: 250-377-7188 Toll Free in BC: 1-866-377-7188
Email: emergency@tnrd.ca

Non-profits are encouraged to check if there are Relief Funds available through their municipal and regional governments that may support community needs such as rescue efforts, basic necessities, mental health supports, and expenses not covered by other funding or insurance.

HealthLink BC has a document outlining health hazards associated with a flood along with information on safety returning home after a flood.

Province of BC provides information on recovering after a flood.

Information on mould prevention and cleanup is available from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and from HealthLink BC.

BC Centre for Disease Control (CDC) provides information about hazards to be aware of when entering a flood zone, as well as information about safe asbestos removal.

Agriculture Recovery
BC agriculture producers impacted by floods and mud slides can access supports and resources Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Producers who are not members of an association can contact AgriService BC emergency response line at 1-888-221-7141 or email agrirecovery@gov.bc.ca.

Agricultural Emergency Response Line: 604-262-7640 and Transportation Permitting: 604-262-4042 or affeocops4.permitting@gov.ca 

Mortality Disposal Hotline
Assists producers needing help disposing of animal remains: 604-302-4830 

BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA)
BCSPCA is providing pet food, crates, leashes, harnesses, and other urgent supplies, as well as emergency boarding. Phone: 1-855-622-7722. They are also providing Emergency Mobile Alerts that will notify subscribers when emergency fosters are needed, emergency supply drop off/pick up areas, and free emergency boarding for evacuees in the area; sign up for Animal Emergency Alerts.

Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART)
Contact for pet supplies and/or assistance with animal concerns.
Email: info@cdart.org

Through 310Mental Health Support, the Crisis Line Association of BC (CLABC) offers 24-hour emotional support and information and referral services; call 310-1234 (no area code required).

Emotional support is also available through Crisis Services Canada; call 1-833-546-4566.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) offers mental health tips for you and your family on coping through a natural disaster emergency.

Bounce Back is a free CMHA program that teaches effective skills to overcome symptoms of mild to moderate depression or anxiety and improve mental health; suitable for people who have suffered fear, anxiety and loss from stressful events such as a disaster.

Coping with Crisis by Canadian Red Cross.

ServiceBC Support Line
Provides information and referral services related to the BC floods, answering inquiries such as emergency support services, disaster financial assistance, insurance, road conditions, mental health supports, agriculture, and water quality. Phone: 1-833-376-2452 (service is available in various languages by interpretation, and hours are 7:30 am to 5 pm seven days a week)

Access Pro Bono
Weather emergency legal fact sheets provide updated answers to frequently asked questions related to employment, family, insurance, landlord-tenant, and strata law. Free telephone advice available at 1-87-PRO-BONO-4 (1-877-762-6664).

PreparedBC
The government website for disaster readiness information. It has flood Information for Homeowners and Home Buyers, including tips on preparing for floods, and protecting your home and property.

River Forecast Centre
During periods of high risk of flooding in BC, the River Forecast Centre provides information on current and forecast streamflow conditions, including flood advisories and warnings.

Drive BC
Information on current road conditions: www.drivebc.ca

BC Hydro
Safety tips, and important information regarding power outages. See also the handout on flood electrical safety information.

BC Wildfire and Flood Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BC.Wildfire.Evacuee.Support

BC and Alberta Emergency Livestock/Animal/Horse Evacuation Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BCsEmergencyLIvestockAnimalEvacuationGroup/

Fraser Valley Flood Help: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1728308954030612/

Flooding in Southern British Columbia: https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/650867985908031/?alias=650867985908031&source=search

Abbotsford Disaster and Relief Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/273516764191067/

Good Life in Chilliwack: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goodlifeinchilliwack

Coquihalla Road Reports: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Coquihallaroadreports

Hope BC Bulletin Board: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hopebulletinboard

Sumas Prairie Flood Clean-up Requests and Volunteers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422577479532969

For those looking to donate food, goods, and services, check with local organizations and local government websites of affected communities, and social media channels such as Facebook groups (see above).

People interested in making financial donations to help communities and those impacted by the floods may want to consider:

United Way British Columbia (UWBC) - United for BC Flood Response Fund
 
Canadian Red Cross - donate online or call 1-800-418-1111.

Abbotsford Community Foundation - Abbotsford Disaster Relief

Food Banks BC - Emergency BC Flood Relief

BCSPCA - Emergency Flood Relief
 
GoFundMe has set up a centralized page, How to help those affected by BC Flooding, for those who have been affected by the BC flooding; it lists verified fundraisers seeking to rebuild and recover from this natural disaster.

Many community organizations are also fundraising for individuals and communities impacted by the flooding.