05

Nov
2014

Heavy Floods Hit Metro Vancouver

November 5th, 2014 | by admin admin | in News |    0   

Heavy rainfall and floods swept across the Lower Mainland on Monday. West Vancouver recorded 86 mm of rain in just 24 hours. In North Vancouver, a roadway collapsed, boulders rolled down streets, 17 homes were evacuated and a high school was closed when Lynn Valley creeks overflowed their banks. One Maple Ridge resident spotted steelhead salmon swimming in a drainage ditch 800 metres from the Fraser River. The rainy season has arrived full force.

To prepare for flooding, Emergency Management B.C. recommends that you always have:

• A plan. Everyone in your household should know how to shut off electrical power and natural gas sources. Where will you meet up? What will happen to your pets? Where are the wrenches and plastic sheeting stored?
•  An emergency supply kit. Food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, toiletries, cash, documents etc.
•  A battery-powered or wind-up radio.
•  A full gas tank.

If your area is prone to flooding or is under a flood warning, EMBC also offers tips for minimizing flood damage, including:

• Secure or relocate outdoor furniture, oil tanks, propane tanks and other items which could be damaged, or float and cause damage.
• Store dangerous chemicals such as weed killer, insecticides and corrosives above flood level.
• Move vehicles to high ground, if feasible.
• Move home electronic systems above flood level and keep electrical appliances dry.
• Shut off electrical power to your home beforehand, but not if it is already flooded. Shut off gas if you have to evacuate.
• If your eaves troughs are connected to the house sewer system, redirect the flow more than 1.5 metres from the building’s foundations.
• Monitor local news reports for disaster instructions, including boil water advisories if drinking water becomes contaminated.

Emergency Management B.C.: Preparing Your Family and Home: A guide to prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding events

Photo courtesy of Global News

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, we encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

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