BCAA urges British Columbians to prepare for extreme weather

It’s been nearly a year since that deadly heat dome hit B.C., and BCAA is warning many haven’t done enough to prepare for extreme weather.

When extreme weather hits, we often don’t get a lot of notice, BCAA has done its emergency preparedness survey, and as its director of insurance products Namita Kearns explains, 43 percent of those surveyed say they haven’t done anything to prepare for extreme weather.

“It is unpredictable. Some people may have not been affected by extreme weather, doesn’t mean it can’t happen or it won’t happen. So, I think the best thing that people can do is create emergency plans. Once you have them in place, you can kind of put them to the side you don’t have do anything,” Kearns said.

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In November, heavy rain led to catastrophic flooding in parts of B.C., including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope, Merritt, and Princeton. The floods led to several landslides and at one point, all routes connecting the Lower Mainland with the rest of B.C. were blocked.

Kearns says reviewing your insurance policy is a key factor to being prepared for floods and fires.

“We really recommend that people first review their insurance policy and if they do have questions, to talk to their insurance provider to make sure they understand what they have coverage for. It is true that some flood zones do not qualify. For flood insurance, it’s even more important for people in those high risk areas to have those emergency plans in place. And also look at what other financial resources are available, if there is damage to their property or their home.”

According to BCAA’s survey, 85 percent of British Columbians are worried extreme weather will happen again this year, and Kearns says emergency preparedness is a major way to ease those concerns.

“Setting aside time, putting it on your to do list, whether it’s today or this week, just make it a priority to put a safety plan in place.”

Earlier this month, the BC Wildfire Service warned there are some areas of the province, including the southern Cariboo, Thompson-Okanagan, and Rocky Mountain Trench regions, that are experiencing drier-than-normal conditions, which can also contribute to flooding.

Kearns stresses whether extreme climate is anticipated or not, being prepared is still extremely crucial.