Flood risk assessment, mitigation funds help B.C. communities

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- Cariboo Regional District to receive $150,000 for the purposes of Screening level floodplain mapping, Thompson River watershed and floodplain prioritization within the Cariboo Regional District

Twenty-two local and regional governments have been approved to receive their share of more than $3 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support flood risk assessment, mapping and mitigation planning.

Since the September 2017 Budget update, communities and governments throughout B.C. have received more than $20 million through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The successful applicants for the latest round of funding hail from every corner of B.C.

“It’s critical that we invest now in preparedness and disaster mitigation,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.  “Funding these projects is another way that we’re building resiliency in our communities to improve public safety.”  

Funding for the flood risk assessment, mapping and mitigation planning component of the CEPF was announced at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September 2017. This funding is part of a $33.5-million plan designed to help communities prepare for, and respond to, disasters.

“Being prepared is about understanding hazards and finding ways to better protect the public,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “This funding will help local governments assess the risks that are unique to their communities and take steps to prevent and prepare for disasters before they happen.”

The CEPF is a suite of programs designed to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents. The Province provides the funding, which is administered by UBCM and divided into five streams:

• flood risk assessment, flood mapping and flood mitigation planning
• emergency support services
• emergency operations centres and training
• structural flood mitigation
• evacuation routes

The next deadline to apply for this program is Oct. 25, 2019 (Structural Flood Mitigation Intake 2).

On May 10, 2019, the Province announced a new, sixth stream of CEPF funding for volunteer and composite fire departments. Proponents, including First Nations communities, local governments and society-run departments, are eligible for the $5 million to go towards equipment and training. This new funding brings the CEPF total to $38.5 million, with more than $15 million still to be distributed.