Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
Flood Response

The floods of 2021 created havoc and devastating loss for many businesses, families, and farms across B.C. Although the flood forecast is much less severe this fall, an expected La Niña weather pattern will likely bring a lot of rain once again.

We have compiled several resources available for businesses impacted by, or at risk of flooding.

If you need specific health and safety support to prepare for a disaster situation or to recover and rebuild, please reach out to our safety advisors at 604.795.9595.

Basic Training
Course
Available by e-Learning
This online course explores response to emergency situations that can be encountered in manufacturing. The goal of the course is to provide a basic understanding of what to anticipate and expect when responding to an emergency.
Course
Available Virtually by Video ConferenceInstructor-Led Classroom Training
Emergency response planning is one of the key elements to include in your occupational health and safety program. This program allows you to plan out how you would respond to an emergency in the event of, which can result in saving lives, property, revenue, etc. 
Flood Response Resources and Tools
B.C. is taking action to help people, businesses and infrastructure recover from floods and mudslides.
After a disaster, the provincial government may declare the event eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). Once declared, the DFA program may compensate applicants for essential uninsurable losses.
Returning home after widespread flooding can be overwhelming. Use caution and take it one step at a time.
Planning and preparing for emergencies and natural disasters can be hard. A support network lets two or more people help each other in an emergency.
Supports for businesses impacted by disasters are available from the federal and provincial governments, community organizations and the private sector.
Businesses impacted by a flood must take steps to ensure their personal safety and their employees, including a hazard assessment. Do not enter a flood-damaged location without first reviewing the risks and putting protections from potential hazards in place.
Following an emergency or disaster, a person may experience a range of thoughts, feelings and behaviour that can be intense, confusing and frightening.
Smoke, evacuations, loss, worry—BC’s floods and wildfires affect us all. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, you are not alone.
Website
Up-to-date information on driving conditions, road closures, and other road conditions in British Columbia.
Do you have an emergency response plan to evacuate due to the risk of a wildfire or flood? Use this checklist to build your plan.
EmergencyInfoBC is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies. They share official response and recovery sources, as well as verified event information from trusted partners.
This map is overseen by EmergencyInfoBC and serves as a general reference for current public safety conditions during emergencies.
The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
After a disaster, the provincial government may declare the event eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). Once declared, the DFA program may compensate applicants for essential uninsurable losses.
Disasters and emergencies can cause significant disruption and add stress to your life. If you experience stress reactions that make it impossible to function normally over a long period of time, seek help.
In the aftermath of a flood, workers may be involved in a variety of response and recovery operations. The following are general guidelines that may be applicable to workers involved in assessing and/or cleaning up the damage to their worksite.
First and foremost, life safety issues such as avoiding electrical shock and carbon monoxide poisoning must be considered before any cleanup or response is initiated.
Flood data is updated on the map as information becomes available. Flood notifications can change on review and data is presented for reference only.
Be aware of the risks before re-entering a flood zone. Learn about some key hazards to be aware of when entering a flood zone.
Flood zones can pose a number of hazards as people evacuate, and when they return to their homes, farms, or businesses following a flood. Some of these hazards may be difficult to spot.
Climate change is driving an increase in daily extreme precipitation in Canada, which when combined with other landscape factors, such as urbanization, deforestation, and loss of wetlands, can result in flood events.
Operators need to develop an emergency response plan to anticipate problems and possible solutions to help protect their facility, and reduce damage to their equipment, inventory and operation.
Stay out of flood-affected areas until local emergency officials have given clearance to re-enter. Make sure someone knows where you are going, when you should be checking in, and getting back.
There are serious gas and electrical safety implications to consider if you are living or working in an area experiencing flooding.
Flooding can affect your health and safety in a number of ways. You may be required to evacuate if flooding is close to your home.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation — specifically sections 4.13 through 4.16 and Part 32 on emergency preparedness, response, evacuation, and rescue — all employers are expected to plan, prepare, and train their employees for all emergencies.
Interim order from the Minister of Transport regarding flooded areas of B.C.
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to announce the launch of our newest manual as part of the Economic Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Program.
Flood workers should be warned that when the seemingly endless rain tapers off and the flood waters recede, they will continue to face a number of hazards associated with cleanup activities.
To help keep people safe and re-establish the movement of critical goods and services following severe flooding and landslides, the Province is taking temporary measures to ensure fuel (gas and diesel) is prioritized for essential vehicles, while keeping it available to British Columbians.
During this difficult time, there are several resources available to business owners to help with managing the day-to-day situation, as well as planning for the rebuild.
It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster.
Website
Current travel and road advisories and information for British Columbia.