The Province is urging people on B.C.’s North Coast to prepare and be diligent as Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued weather alerts for heavy rain, strong winds and freezing temperatures, expected to arrive Saturday, Nov. 20 and last until Tuesday, Nov. 23.

The Province is advising residents that drinking-water wells in flooded areas of B.C. may be at risk of contamination.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has indicated that an intense, low-pressure system is headed toward northern Vancouver Island, bringing strong southeasterly winds for the South Coast on Sunday afternoon through to Monday.

Another 38 communities throughout B.C. have been awarded funding for flood planning through a program that has provided more than $75 million to First Nations and local governments for projects to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to emergencies.

Local governments and First Nations in 54 communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $1.8 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support the work of emergency operations centres.

With the 2021 wildfire season well underway, the B.C. government has stepped up with more than $20 million to reduce risks around communities and support new research into predicting wildfire activity.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, and Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture, have released the following statement in celebration of B.C. Wild Salmon Day: