Emergency Preparedness

insurance, RECOVERY, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Ministry of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness has additional information about emergency supports, insurance coverage, and financial assistance in BC, questions to ask an insurance broker, and links to more resources.

• Websites:
  • Emergency evacuation and recovery information
  • Financial assistance in a disaster
  • Insurance and emergency preparedness

BC Economic Development Association

• DisasterSmartBC
• 10 Steps to Prepare your Business for Evacuation
• Local Economic Recovery & Restart Toolkit

Great British Columbia Shakeout

• Earthquake and emergency preparedness tools.
• Twitter/X: @ShakeOutBC
• Website: www.shakeoutbc.ca/

Insurance Bureau of Canada

• The Bureau can provide answers for individuals and businesses with insurance questions and concerns by calling 1 844 2-ASK-IBC (1 844 227-5422) Monday to Friday from 7AM to 4PM PST.

PreparedBC: Tourism Resources

Step-by-step guides to prepare tourism businesses and their staff for emergencies, with templates and tools to help operators easily plan a fast and effective response.

• Guide for Tourism Operators
• Emergency Plan for Tourism Operators
• Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc

SUPERNATURALBC.COM

• This Know Before You Go webpage on SuperNaturalBC.com is regularly updated and serves as a one-stop shop for visitors looking to access key information resources such as those noted below.

Emergency Info BC

• Information about emergencies in BC, including evacuation orders and alerts.
• Twitter/X: @EmergencyInfoBC  #BCFlood #BCWildFire
• Website: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

emergencymapbc

• EmergencyMapBC is an official BC Government resource that offers an overview of where emergencies are happening and what public safety measures are in place.
• Website: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=950b4eec577a4dc5b298a61adab41c06

Emergency Support Services

• Information regarding emergency reception centres and assistance.
• Support for the displaced, and group lodging
• Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/volunteers/emergency-support-services

Red Cross

• BC community news, training and certification, support resources.
• Evacuees can register with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582
• Twitter/X: @RedCrossBCY
• Website: www.redcross.ca/in-your-community/british-columbia-and-yukon

Air Quality

• Smoke conditions across the province can change hourly. Check the Air Quality Health Index for real-time updates from across BC.

Avalanche Canada

• Information and tutorials about avalanche terrain, conditions and danger scales, and trip planning tools for safety.
• Twitter/X: @avalancheca
• Website: avalanche.ca/cac

BC Drought Information Portal

• Geographic drought level information system for British Columbia. Drought levels and other data are updated as they become available.
• Website: https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/

BC Wildfire Service

• Interactive map of all active wildfires across the province.
• Mobile App: The official BC Wildfire Service mobile app is available for free download in the App Store and on Google Play.
• Twitter/X: @BCGovFireInfo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo/
• Campfire bans, restrictions and forest use
• Report wildfires to *5555 on a cell or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
• Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status
• BC Wildfire Service Webinar for the Visitor Services Network

Capital Region Tsunami Information portal

• Interactive explorer providing resources and tools to identify and locate hazard specific and safety information/data related to tsunami events.
• Website: https://capital-region-tsunami-information-portal-bcgov03.hub.arcgis.com/

EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING

• Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) is the rapid detection of earthquakes, real-time estimation of the shaking hazard, and notification of expected shaking. EEW provides seconds to tens-of-seconds of notice before strong shaking starts, which can help reduce injuries, deaths, and property losses.
• Website: https://www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/eew-asp/system-en.php

Environment Canada Weather Alerts

• Resource for the latest weather information, statements, and air quality advisories.
• Twitter/X: @environmentca
• Website: https://weather.gc.ca/?layers=alert&province=BC&zoom=4&center=56.21358814,-96.97571448

River Forecast Centre

• Analyses snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in BC’s rivers and streams.
• During periods of high flood risk, the River Forecast Centre provides information on Current Streamflow Conditions and Flood Forecast Modeling, and Flood Advisories and Warnings.
• Current Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin
• Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/drought-flooding-dikes-dams/river-forecast-centre

WEATHERCAN

• Receive weather alert notifications in your area, as well as in your saved locations, wherever you are in Canada. Get your latest forecast information directly from Canada’s official weather source.
• Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weather-general-tools-resources/weathercan.html

Drive BC

• Information about road closures, major events, and transportation delays.
• Twitter/X: @DriveBC
• Website: www.drivebc.com/

Transportation BC

• Information on transportation safety and mobility.
• Twitter/X: @TranBC
• Website: www.tranbc.ca/

AdventureSmart

• National prevention program focused on reaching Canadians and visitors to Canada who participate in outdoor recreational activities.
• Twitter/X: @BCAdvSmart
• Instagram: @bcadvsmart 
• Website: www.adventuresmart.ca/index.php

Parks and Recreation Sites (Warnings and Closures)

• BC Parks: Information regarding Provincial campgrounds and park closures, including parks affected by BC wildfires and parks affected by freshet/flooding.
• Recreation Sites and Trails: Alerts, closures, and warnings regarding BC’s rustic campsites and recreational trails.