As part of the Province’s over $80-million investment in emergency preparedness and public safety, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope Laurie Throness has announced a number of flood prevention projects today for the region on behalf of Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto.

The District of Kent will receive $4.17 million to expand and upgrade the Hammersley Pump Station, which is located approximately six kilometres west of Agassiz and conveys run-off from the Mountain Slough watershed. This project will expand and upgrade the current pump system to better protect local agricultural lands and nearby Federal Correctional Centre infrastructure.

To better understand and mitigate flooding hazards along the Fraser River and southern coast, the Province also invested $2.13 million in three Fraser Basin Council (FBC) projects:

• $1 million will support the FBC in conducting an inventory and engineering assessment of all orphan or unmanaged dikes in British Columbia. This assessment will evaluate the structural conditions of the dikes and determine the cost to upgrade the dikes to provincial standard and to acquire at-risk properties. The goal of this project is to assess the risks to local communities and to help facilitate the transfer of diking authority to local governments.
• $800,000 will go toward a seismic assessment of existing Lower Mainland dikes to withstand seismic events, which will provide vital information about risks and vulnerabilities in those communities. This funding will allow for the field testing of almost 50 structures. This information will provide vital information toward developing seismic design guidelines for diking infrastructure.
• $330,000 will support the cross-sectional sonar survey of the Fraser River bottom to assist the FBC in its proposed development of flood-hazard analysis tools and modelling of the floodplain. This data will also assist in upgrades to the current river model used for freshet forecasting, to provide more accurate information to the public and stakeholders.

Quotes:

MLA for Chilliwack-Hope Laurie Throness –

“Our government recognizes the value of investing in emergency preparedness, both as a means of creating stronger communities as well as helping build the foundation for continued economic growth. Today’s announcement helps us foster a safer, more prosperous region that is resilient to the risks and threats of flooding, as well shoring-up the needed support for structural assessments and upgrades to infrastructure like dikes, which play a crucial role in our regional landscape.”

Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto –

“The over $80 million in investments in community emergency preparedness will help us better withstand floods, fires or earthquakes that could impact our province. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins in every home, in every business and across all levels of government. This funding is another of many provincial investments and initiatives to help keep British Columbians safe.”

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), vice-president, Western & Pacific Bill Adams –

“Disasters can have lasting physical and financial impacts on Canadian communities. That is why the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Canada’s property and casualty insurers are committed to working with all levels of government to help make our country safer, stronger and more resilient. IBC applauds this important funding announcement which will help municipalities across British Columbia better prepare for disasters. As a partner in emergency preparedness, IBC will continue to work with all stakeholders to make our cities and towns more resilient in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.”

Quick Fact:

• Over $60 million in flood mitigation investments in a number of communities is represented in the March 15, 2017, announcement of over $80 million in emergency preparedness. Since 2008, the Province has committed $182.7 million towards flood mitigation projects in over 200 communities in B.C.

Learn More:

March 15 announcement of over $80 million in emergency preparedness: http://ow.ly/HLN4309YrGO

The Fraser Basin Council: http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca

BC Government flood prevention and planning: http://ow.ly/HeWh3007cDc

PreparedBC provides resources on how to build and emergency kit and how to prepare your family and community for emergencies: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/preparedbc

Follow on Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC and @PreparedBC