Emergency Information

There are currently no Evacuation Alerts or Orders in the RDCK

June 9, 2020 - Evacuation Alert Removed for Crawford Creek, Duhamel Creek, Salmo and Slocan Rivers and Broadwater Rd.

June 2, 2020 - Region Wide Evacuation Alert Removed - Evacuation Alert Remains for Crawford Creek, Duhamel Creek, Broadwater Rd., Salmo and Slocan Rivers 

CURRENT UPDATES

COVID-19 Updates: All updates about what the RDCK is doing to respond to the coronavirus/COVID-19 situation can be found here. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS

STAY IN THE KNOW (May 21, 2020)

With active weather on the way and most of our high-elevation snowpack still in the mountains, it’s important for you to stay in the know about conditions. The following websites will provide you with accurate and up-to-date information before and during an emergency:

Monitor before something happens:

• River Forecast Centre – for flood and freshet conditions and advisories
• ECCC (weather) – BC weather conditions and forecasts
• BC Wildfire – for fire danger information

Stay informed during active events:

• RDCK Emergency Information page – the official channel
• BC Wildfire – for current wildfire activity
• MOE Spills Info – for spill incident overviews
• Local radio stations and newspapers

Stay aware and informed, and help your friends and neighbours access current information as well.

SANDBAGS (May 13, 2020)

If your property is prone to flooding, please take the necessary measures to protect structures, equipment and materials before flooding is imminent. Owners are responsible for all measures required for flood protection of private property.

Sandbagging is one of the most versatile flood fighting tools and is a simple and effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage, when done correctly. Placing sandbags around your property is a smart and proactive move to protect against rising water levels. Unfilled bags and sand are provided free to residents for the purpose of protecting their homes. Sandbag and sand locations can be found on the RDCK Be Flood Prepared webpage.

If you do visit a sandbag filling location, please make sure to keep at least 2m distance from others. Do not visit a site if you are feeling unwell or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Click here to review the recommended method for sandbag diking

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK (May 5, 2020)

The weather forecast is calling for warming temperatures over the next week which will result in rising creeks, streams and rivers across the region. In the spirit of Emergency Preparedness week, take a moment to learn about how to be prepared to protect yourself and your family during emergencies.

• Know the hazards – become familiar with the hazards surrounding your home and within your community.
• Make a plan – An emergency plan is a playbook for how you and your household will respond to a disaster. Knowing what to do will reduce anxiety and help keep you focused and safe.
• Build your kit – Clothes, toothbrush, phone charger, batteries and first aid kit are all items that should be in your Grab and Go bag. Be prepared by having these items packed and ready to go in case of an emergency.

For more information on hazards, emergency plans and what to pack in your kit, visit the RDCK Emergency Preparedness website and the PreparedBC website.

BE PREPARED FOR EVACUATIONS (April 30, 2020)

• Now is a good time to think about your emergency preparedness plan and what you and your family will do if you have to evacuate. Make sure to consider how COVID-19 restrictions might affect your plan.
• Learn how to be prepared for evacuations by knowing your hazards, making a plan and building a kit. Visit our Emergency Preparedness page or the Prepared BC website for great resources on how to be prepared.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EVACUATION ALERT AND AN EVACUATION ORDER? (April 28, 2020)

• An Evacuation Alert is a warning about a potential imminent threat to life and property. It is intended to give you time to be ready for a possible evacuation - bags are packed and ready at the door.
• An Evacuation Order means you must leave immediately - grab your bags and go.
• Remember, the evacuation process doesn't always flow neatly from alert to order. You might need to evacuate without warning or, due to COVID-19, you might be required to evacuate earlier than you might expect to ensure the safety of responders and yourself. All of this highlights the need to be prepared!
• Visit the RDCK website for more information about evacuations and more resources to help you be prepared: https://rdck.ca/EN/main/services/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness.html

ARE YOU READY FOR SPRING FRESHET? (April 23, 2020)

• Floods are common in BC and can happen any time of year. Current average snowpack levels for the region are 118% of normal. This represents an increased risk of seasonal flooding during freshet. However, snowpack is only one element of seasonal flood risk in BC. Spring weather is a critical factor determining the snow melts, and extreme rainfall can also cause spring flooding. Learn about preparing for a #BCFlood at: www.rdck.ca/befloodprepared 

BE PREPARED FOR SEASONAL EMERGENCIES (April 21, 2020)

• This spring, we have all been focused on staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is also monitoring snowpack conditions, weather forecasts, river levels and wildfire activity, because we know that seasonal emergencies can happen at any time.
• We are prepared to respond to any emergency situation. Emergency response might look different this year because of COVID-19, but we are working with provincial agencies to ensure appropriate measures are in place should evacuation or Emergency Support Services be required due to a flood or wildfire.
• We are prepared, and we ask you to be prepared too. If you live in an area at risk of flooding or wildfire, take steps now to protect your family, your home and your property. Know your local hazards, create a family emergency plan, and sign up for the RDCK Emergency Notification System.
• SANDBAGS: If floods are a hazard in your area, you might be looking for sand and sandbags. The RDCK EOC will advise when we have sand and sandbags, when the need becomes apparent. That information will be posted on this page and on Facebook.
• Learn how to be flood prepared and how to FireSmart your home.

ARCHIVED UPDATES

• Situation in Argenta (October 2019) [PDF - 374 KB]
• Fuel spill in Nakusp (August 2019) [PDF - 374 KB]
• Morley Creek Debris Flood (August 2019) [PDF - 391 KB]