BC Landslide (EMPB)

Proposed Response:

Responsive lines (if prompted)

Background:

Public Safety Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe from a range of risks such as natural disasters, including flooding. Canada is experiencing a greater number of severe weather events driven substantially by a changing climate. The Government of Canada aims to create a more resilient and sustainable approach to emergency management that will help Canada prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from disasters.

Beginning on November 14, 2021, an atmospheric river event delivered rainfall amounts of up to 300mm across much of southwest British Columbia (BC), exacerbated by melting high elevation snow. The rain was accompanied by strong winds in some locations. A wide variety of impacts has affected communities across southwest and south-central BC, including widespread power outages, telecommunications issues, road closures, as well as displaced residents and damage due to flooding and debris flows. This has stranded travelers - in some cases in remote locations - between debris flows.

On November 17, 2021, the province of British Columbia (BC) issued a state of emergency. A Request for Federal Assistance (RFA) was received from the province and was quickly approved by the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, on November 17. On  November 29, the provincial State of Emergency was extended by another two weeks, until  December 14, including the measure limiting non-essential vehicles to 30 L of fuel per trip to a gas station.

In recognition of the significant, immediate challenges in the southwest and central areas of the province resulting in significant impacts on individuals, communities and critical infrastructure, the province asked for support in the form of transportation assistance, resupply, and humanitarian assistance including:

CAF assets have been deployed for an initial 30 days with the possibility of extensions based on periodic reassessment prior to the expiry of this initial period.

Current Situation

The first atmospheric river weather event ended on November 17. The second storm passed without causing widespread damage, thought river conditions remained elevated. The overall situation is improving with ongoing intensive repair and recovery efforts.

The second day of the third Atmospheric River has passed with no reports of significant, widespread damage, although Evacuation Alerts and Orders have increased due to localized threats and impacts. There is still uncertainty on the impacts of rain and snowmelt late December 1, including through the overnight period. River flows are generally not expected to reach November 13-15 levels but infrastructure is vulnerable, and snowmelt impacts are difficult to predict.

An Evacuation Order remains in effect in Abbottsford (Huntingdon Village). As a result of recent weather, the City of Hope declared as State of Local Emergency (SOLE) as there is potential for overland flooding. The SOLE for the City of Merritt has been extended until  December 6. 

The planning focus is now on resolving specific supply and transport issues as they surface, contingency planning for future atmospheric rivers, and dealing with medium term effects such as changes in commercial highway access to the Lower Mainland, which will last for weeks or months.

There are currently 35  First Nations impacted by flooding and twelve (12) First Nations under Evacuation Order. The main concerns for First Nations communities are road closures, which may last weeks, and medication and food supply chain considerations.

Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) Emergency Management Assistance Program will provide $4.4 million to the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS). Funds will be used to support the FNESS as they assist First Nations in their response to the widespread flooding. Additionally, $330,000  will be provided to the First Nations Leadership Council to address immediate response needs.

There are  62 (+8) Evacuation Orders affecting 4, 306 (-302) properties and 36 (+2)  Evacuation Alerts affecting  7,406 (+762) properties. There are three Band Council Resolutions and  14 (-2)  States of Local Emergency in place. Approximately  9,244 evacuees have registered for Emergency Support Services. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is prepared to support British Columbia and has an existing stock of supplies (e.g. contaminated water, potential spread and transmission of animal diseases to humans) as well as COVID-19.

Abbotsford is experiencing ongoing localized flooding and new mudslides on the Lower Sumas Mountain. The Return Home re-entry plan for the City of Merritt is continuing as planned and the local hospital is now open for limited hours. The Town of Princeton has issued multiple Evacuation Alerts due to water flow and slope stability concerns. Sumas Police has removed barriers and the city is open for traffic.

Critical Infrastructure impacts:

Supply Chain impacts:

Whole of Government Support

As of November 30, all of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel dedicated to assisting provincial efforts are on the ground. Between 500 to 700 remain deployed to support domestic operations in BC, including Land and Air Task Forces. The province has indicated that it has the CAF support it requires at this time.    

The province has also formally requested financial assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) from the Government of Canada. Since the event is still active, the Province is still working with partners to quantify the damages incurred. Engagement with the Province will continue to obtain estimates when they become available.

The Prime Minister and the Premier announced that the governments of Canada and British Columbia will match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross’ British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal. Furthermore, the Prime Minister and Premier of British Columbia announced a new committee to address extreme weather and climate resilience in the province.

Federal departments supporting event include: PS, CAF, Transport Canada (TC),  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada,  Indigenous Services Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada,  Public Health Agency of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Veterans Affairs Canada, Canadian Space Agency, Global Affairs Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada. 

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC), Salvation Army, and Samaritans Purse are providing supports in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Merritt, Lytton area First Nations, and Kamloops. 

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has been supporting the event through the rapid tasking of RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) imagery captures over the affected areas of the Fraser Valley. Mountainous terrain has limited the viability of RCM over some areas, but daily imagery has been captured for low lying areas around Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Sumas and Aldergrove.

Natural Resources Canada Emergency Geomatics Services (NRCan – EGS) has been providing round-the-clock support to the event with RCM image analysis, providing accurate flood extent products, accessible for desktop and web mapping.

CCG issued a National Order to provide resources as required to assist BC including marine assets, a drone, the CCGS Wilfred Laurier, and 1 x helicopter engaging or about to engage in recovery efforts.

TC NASP conducted a successful overflight to provide high-res photos for ISED. Two aircraft are still available (1 x aircraft, 1 x helicopter) and are ready for further tasking.

Supports are available under the PS Humanitarian Workforce Program should the Province require it.

Requests for Assistance

When a PT makes an official RFA, there is a well-established process in place for managing RFAs, through the Government Operations Centre (GOC) at Public Safety Canada, that includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination of all departments as required. The GOC coordinates formal RFAs from the federal government and PTs and liaises with key organizations such as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Red Cross (CRC).

When the emergency involves a First Nation (FN) community, FN leadership, depending on relevant emergency management agreements, will work in collaboration with their PTs and/or Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) or regional officials, to assess the emergency and propose a response. If a resolution is not possible at the regional level, a request for assistance may be sought.

The Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of National Defence have also worked together to ensure a strategic approach for the use of CAF support flooding and other event response efforts. This coverage will facilitate deployment approvals, preventing delays in timely federal support, but does not eliminate appropriate vetting of requests given the potential high demand for finite resources.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has responded to 151 RFAs.

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