RDCK urges public to be Flood Prepared
By Nelson Daily Staff
While the Regional District of Central Kootenay is not predicting emergency events for the region, staff realizes the higher than normal snowpack combined with weather-related events could prompt flooding, which is a common occurrence in the spring.
So RDCK staff has released a list of information to keep residents up to date in case weather related events occur.
Here is a list the RDCK has prepared asking residents and visitors to take the following steps to be flood prepared
- Sign up for emergency alerts. If you haven’t already signed up for the free RDCK Emergency Alert Notification System, you can do so by going to the RDCK website at www.rdck.ca and clicking on “Emergency Alerts” on the home page, or by going directly to https://rdckemergency.connectrocket.com
- Create a household emergency plan. A plan will help you and your family be prepared in an emergency. Keep the plan in an easy-to-find spot, review it regularly, and practice it with your family. Download a plan template from the PreparedBC website
- Prepare an emergency kit. An emergency kit contains essential supplies, critical information and personal items—such as eyeglasses and medications—stored in an accessible spot, that you can easily grab and go. Learn how tobuild a kit on the PreparedBC website
- Take steps to protect your home and property. Residents are responsible for protecting their homes and property from natural hazards. Examples of protective actions include anchoring fuel sources, installing a sump pump and sandbagging if the need becomes apparent. Check out the PreparedBC: Household Preparedness Guide for tips.
- Report flooding, potential flooding or landslides. Report unusually dirty or muddy water immediately. Call the 24/7 Provincial Emergency Reporting Number (Emergency Management BC – Emergency Coordination Centre) at 1-800-663-3456.
- Stay in the know. In potentially life-threatening circumstances, the RDCK—with the support of Emergency Management BC—may issue an Evacuation Alert or an Evacuation Order to residents living in a flood hazard area. Any Evacuation Alerts or Orders will be communicated through the RDCK Emergency Notification System, as well as via our website and Facebook page, and through local media. In the event of a flood or other emergency, stay tuned in to your local radio station.
Learn more by visiting the RDCK’s flood preparedness page: www.rdck.ca/befloodprepared
Other important phone numbers and websites
- For information on flood preparedness, how to develop a household emergency plan, what to include in an emergency kit, how to build a sandbag, and much more: PreparedBC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc
- For local RDCK freshet/flooding information bulletins (when applicable): RDCK: www.rdck.ca
