Questions Arise Over Lack of Flood Evacuation Alert in Fraser Valley
Critics and residents are raising concerns about the provincial government’s response to the recent atmospheric river in Abbotsford, questioning why no emergency alert was issued for flood evacuations in the Fraser Valley. Opposition MLA Bruce Banman highlighted that many residents were caught off guard by evacuation orders, with some relying on air raid sirens from Sumas, Washington, for early warnings.
Banman emphasized the importance of utilizing available technology for timely alerts during flood situations, urging the province to improve its emergency communication strategies. However, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness spokesperson, Kelly Greene, stated that the BC Emergency Alert system was not deemed necessary for this particular event, as local authorities had effectively managed the situation without its activation.
Premier David Eby defended the government’s actions, citing enhanced cooperation and monitoring efforts between British Columbia and Washington State, which provided significant advanced warnings about the weather system and rising waters. Eby highlighted that the early alerts enabled farmers to take precautionary measures, such as relocating livestock to safer areas.
Balancing the dissemination of critical information without causing unnecessary panic, Eby acknowledged the challenges in emergency communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences to improve future responses.