Emergency Management BC (EMBC) has shipped 400 metres of gabion baskets to the District of Hope to dike low-lying areas of the Fraser River today.

The baskets arrived on site this morning and are being placed along 7th Avenue near Wardle Street, where the river is expected to rise later this week.

The metal mesh baskets stand about a metre high and unfold into sections, which are linked together and filled with sand. In addition, EMBC also sent a sandbag machine and 10,000 sandbags to Hope as a precaution against flooding.

The Province of Saskatchewan Rapid Response Team is overseeing the deployment of the flood barriers, with assistance from the District of Hope and BC Wildfire Management Unit Crews.

The District of Hope is currently experiencing a higher than normal flow on the Fraser River and is operating the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Level 2.

Evacuation alerts have been issued to residents in the vicinity of the Fraser River in certain areas along Wardle Street, Landstrom Road, Haig Station Road, Tom Berry Road and Bristol Island.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"We are thankful to all of our federal, provincial and community partners, who are working around the clock to help out during the current flooding situation in B.C. This type of co-operation, collaboration and effective sharing of resources is vital during emergency response times."

Tom DeSorcy, fire chief, District of Hope -

"The District of Hope is grateful for the assistance the provinces of B.C. and Saskatchewan have provided us. This response is helping our community protect public safety, and it's also laying the ground work for mitigation in future high water events."

Quick Facts:

• People are asked to stay away from rising rivers and dikes for their own safety. There is a potential to be carried away by swift currents.

• To be prepared for potential evacuation, families are asked to ensure they have taken the following measures:

• Have an emergency kit ready for each family member with essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, important papers, clothes, shoes, money and a flashlight.

• Ensure food and water supplies are ready for pets.

• Be ready to follow the instructions of local emergency officials. They may come door to door, or provide information through radio and TV.

Learn More:

To locate BC Flood Smart tips and Emergency Management BC's Guide to Disaster Recovery, go to: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/response-recovery.html

For more information on the District of Hope, go to: www.hope.ca

Related photos of gabions being placed in Hope available for media use at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/emergencyinfobc

Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

Tom DeSorcy
Fire Chief/ Public Information Officer
District of Hope
604 869-5607 local 317