Each year in the spring, warmer weather begins to melt the snowpack that has gathered in the higher altitudes of BC's mountains over the winter. The term freshet refers to the seasonal rise in water levels due to increased rainfall and melting snow, which in turn can lead to flooding.
Floods are common in BC throughout the year, but more severe floods usually occur in spring and early summer. While freshet and flooding are natural occurrences, extreme weather events and climate change have contributed to increased risks for communities in BC.
How to prepare for flooding
Stay informed
Check the Government of BC's flood warning website for alerts. It's also helpful to stay in touch with neighbours and others in your community to share relevant information.
Create an emergency plan
This fill-in the-blank template walks you through the creation of an emergency plan for your household.
Build a grab-and-go kit
If you're forced to leave your home or workplace, it's important to be able to evacuate in a hurry. To be better prepared for an emergency or evacuation it is advisable to create a grab-and-go kit including items you will need in the immediate period following such an event. Ensure your grab-and-go kit contains items you may need for your spiritual or mental wellness, such as sage and cedar or other personal medicines.
To learn more about how to prepare for, stay safe during, and respond to the aftermath of flooding, please refer to our “Preparing for Flooding" emergency planning info sheet. It also provides details on how to create an emergency grab-and-go kit.
If you have a domestic well, ensure it's protected
Be ready to turn off the electricity to your well pump just prior to the flood, and ensure your well is protected with a surface seal and cap. A registered well-driller is required to do this work. Learn more here.
How to stay safe during a flood
- Follow evacuation orders, including instructions given by first responders and emergency personnel.
- Stay away from flood waters and fast-moving rivers.
- If flood waters cover your sewage disposal field, stop using the sewage system
- If power goes out, keep the door closed on the fridge/freezer and keep food inside it. This will help keep food safe (up to about 12 hour for a fridge, 24 hour for a half-full freezer, and up to 48 hour for a full freezer).
- Wash hands with soap and water if you come in contact with flood water. It could be contaminated.
What to do after a flood
Ensure it's safe before returning home
- Check with community or emergency officials for direction.
If you have a well, check if the well head is flooded
Assess your food to see if it is still safe for consumption
- It is hard to make food safe to eat once it has been exposed to contaminated water.
- If exposed to flood waters, destroy:
- Foods packaged in containers that are not waterproof
- Bottled drinks and home preserves, which may be difficult to clean & sanitize under caps, lids or sealing rings
- Canned goods that appear to have a broken seal or show signs of bloating or seepage
- Any previously-opened packaged foods
- Discard food that:
- Is unpackaged and was exposed to flood waters, including fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Was not temperature controlled (warmer than 4C for more than 2 hours), whether or not it was exposed to flood water.
- Is considered higher-risk, including cooked grains, cooked vegetables, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry and seafood.
- Commercially-canned foods in good condition may be salvaged by:
- Removing the label.
- Washing the can in warm soapy water and then rinsing.
- Sanitizing in a solution of 40 mL of regular household bleach in 1 litre of water (approx. 5 ounces or 10 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.
- Marking the contents on the food container if it will not be used right away.
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