BC Alert Ready System in Place for Pending Storm

British Columbia is prepared to use a national emergency alert system ahead of what could be the heaviest rain since a storm two weeks ago devastated communities and destroyed critical infrastructure, the government announced Sunday.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced plans to use the Alert Ready system during a briefing on the ongoing series of storms, which generated new evacuation orders and saw a major river breaking on its banks and threatening parts of Abbotsford, BC on Sunday.

The second in a series of atmospheric rivers moved on Saturday and was still pouring rain in some areas 24 hours later, while a third, possibly more severe storm is forecast to hit the south coast on Tuesday.

“We are in the middle of one of the most intense series of storms that we have seen along the coast of British Columbia,” Farnworth said.

“More heavy rains mean that people on the north, central and south coasts, on Vancouver Island, in Abbotsford and Sumas Prairie are facing an extremely volatile situation. Once again, it is time to be prepared.”

New evacuation orders were issued for 56 properties in the Petit Creek-Spius Creek area west of Merritt, BC and for a portion of the Huntingdon area in Abbotsford, BC. Later, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun announced that the Nooksack River south of the US border had its banks Sunday afternoon and floodwaters were heading into the Sumas Prairie.

Alert Ready is a Canadian-wide system that allows government officials to broadcast public safety alerts via major television and radio stations, as well as compatible wireless devices.

The system has been available since 2018, but BC has faced criticism for not using it to warn residents of deadly disasters this year, including the wildfire that nearly destroyed Lytton, BC, and the heat dome that led to hundreds of deaths.

“BC’s emergency alert systems are not meeting the challenges of today’s natural disasters. That is up to this government,” said BC Liberal MLA Todd Stone, representing Kamloops-South Thompson, during the Period. of questions on November 18.

“All other provinces are using the Alert Ready system. They are using it for tornadoes. They are using it for wildfires. They are using it for a variety of other natural disasters. We are not using it here.”

#BC configured to use the Alert Ready system when the next storm occurs in the next few days. #BCStorm #BCFlood #AlertReady

Farnworth said provincial officials on Sunday are in contact with local governments, First Nations and emergency personnel in areas where forecasts predict the worst impacts in midweek. BC is prepared to support them with the Alert Ready system should they determine there is a threat to life or public safety, he said.

“Local governments are the experts on the ground and emergency managers at the local and provincial level will continue to coordinate closely over the next few days,” he said.

Authorities warned that the next storm could reach intensities similar to those seen in the downpour that destroyed roads, flooded communities and prompted mass evacuations two weeks ago. The next storm will hit the central coast on Monday before moving south, with the largest impacts expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Armel Castellan of Environment and Climate Change Canada said there is a lot of uncertainty at this stage, and while meteorologists expect impacts to remain as low as possible, they urge maximum caution, vigilance and preparation for a “very severe storm and surge. strong”.

Farnworth urged residents of southwestern British Columbia to avoid all nonessential travel for the next several days.

Environment Canada lifted weather warnings for many parts of the province on Sunday when the second storm began to pass, however, it warned that the thaw was adding to runoff and flood risk thanks to strong warming that forced freezing levels. high above the mountain tops.

The River Forecast Center issued a new flood warning for the Coquihalla River. The Okanagan Similkameen Regional District said any residents who have remained in the Tulameen areas since an evacuation order took effect two weeks ago must leave immediately due to rising water levels.

In Abbotsford, the mayor said the region was preparing for anticipated flooding from the Nooksack River in Washington state.

Braun said the Abbotsford levees were in better shape Sunday than they had been before the disastrous flooding two weeks ago thanks to repairs and the added height.

“What we don’t know is whether there was any damage to the integrity of the levee that we cannot see,” Braun said during a news conference.

“We have done what we can do and we are ready, as ready as we can be, for the event that is about to unfold.”

The Transportation Ministry said the threat of flooding forced the closure of Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack on Sunday night.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said crews were assessing “minor” damage to other parts of the province along stretches of Highways 1, 3 and 99 that were closed as a precaution ahead of the weekend’s storm. . The damage included some landslides, downed trees and other debris, he said.

Flooding forced a 3-mile stretch of Highway 7 in Maple Ridge to close overnight and Fleming recommended monitoring Drive BC for updates.

The Red Cross has distributed $ 2.25 million to evacuees throughout the province who are eligible for $ 2,000 to help cover emergency costs, the government said.

This Canadian Press report was first published on November 28, 2021.

– By Amy Smart in Vancouver.

Reference-www.nationalobserver.com

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