Mayor Sullivan Asks City Staff to Review Emergency Flood Response Plans

Posted on May 3, 2007

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan confirmed today that he has asked City of Vancouver staff to review emergency response plans in light of the recent Fraser Valley flood forecast. Today’s confirmation follows Mayor Sullivan’s recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“Floods are serious business and we can’t be overly prepared”, said Mayor Sullivan. “In addition to protecting the residents of Vancouver, we want to be there to help our neighbours if they need assistance in the unlikely event of a major crisis.”

Mayor Sullivan has asked City staff to:

• provide updated assessment of the flood risk to the City of Vancouver
• ensure Vancouver is prepared to dispatch resources to other areas of the Fraser Valley on an emergency basis
• review capacity to provide assistance to flood evacuees if the situation escalates
• liaise with federal and provincial emergency responders on a regular basis

On April 5, the BC River Forecast Centre issued a flood risk advisory for the Fraser River and its tributaries – from above Prince George to the Lower Mainland.

In light of very substantial snow packs, the Centre is forecasting well above normal spring runoff and a significant potential for May/June flooding in some areas.

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Greetings from Sam Sullivan