Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available to eligible British Columbians in the Peace River Regional District area, including Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Fort St John, Hudson’s Hope, Pouce Coupe, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge and the First Nations communities of Saulteau and West Moberly who may have been impacted from the major flooding that occurred this past week.

The provincial government is continuing its work to eliminate some of the flood risks in the Britannia Creek watershed by decommissioning Lower, Mineral Creek and Mountain Lake dams this summer.

To better prepare British Columbians in the event of an emergency and ensure the basic needs of citizens are met, the Province is funding a series of collaborative projects to increase British Columbia’s capacity and capabilities to mitigate and manage emergencies.

The Dry Creek Improvement Project in Port Alberni is complete, thanks to over $2.7 million in funding split equally between the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund – Communities Component, the Province, and the City of Port Alberni.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $4 million in funding for shoreline flood mitigation projects in Abbotsford that, if left unrepaired, could undermine the dike protecting the Matsqui Prairie and important regional infrastructure.

The public is urged to take extra care and caution near the Okanagan River due to high water levels.

As part of the public-safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $16.6 million toward a flood mitigation project in Richmond that will upgrade multiple pump stations.

The Province is urging British Columbians to prepare and be diligent, as Environment Canada continues to warn residents of strong winds and substantial rains for parts of coastal B.C. and the River Forecast Centre warns of high stream flow and potential flooding in South Coast communities.

The B.C. government will provide approximately $1.6 million this winter to make additional shelter spaces available in about 100 communities to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with access to a safe, warm place to stay at night.