Many B.C. communities lack resources to create floodplain maps, study suggests
Many B.C. communities are looking to rebuild after an atmospheric river system brought devastating floods and landslides to the South Coast.
But a recent study has found that several communities across the province don’t have the resources available to create or maintain floodplain maps, and the results can be catastrophic.
The B.C. floodplain maps inventory report was published in June, in a collaboration between the British Columbia Real Estate Association and the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus.
It said that since 2015, only 38.5 per cent of communities surveyed had created or updated floodplain maps, which help to identify areas that experience periodic flooding.
Dr. Nahid Uzzaman, an assistant professor in engineering at UBC, joined CTV Morning Live Tuesday to discuss the importance of floodplain maps.
Uzzaman pointed to a lack of funding and expertise as barriers to creating or updating floodplain maps on a regular basis.
“The data is also not available to the communities, which might make them unable to act right when it comes to planning flooding related issues.”
With a third atmospheric river in less than a week expected to hit the region Tuesday, there are growing concerns the heavy rain will cause further damage to flood-ravaged communities in B.C.
“(Floodplain maps) are a key and critical foundation for land use policies,” Uzzaman said. “If local governments would like to approve any new settlements in the form of subdivisions then floodplain maps play an important role, to what extent that it would be safe and sound and it’s not subject to any damages.”
In the report, BCREA CEO Darlene K. Hyde said the effects of climate change are being showcased in the province now more than ever.
“Recent flooding and this summer’s unprecedented wildfires highlight that we can no longer delay in preparing our communities for the impacts of climate change," Hyde said.
Hyde added that the need for climate resilient communities should be at the forefront.
Many British Columbians have lost their livelihoods and some have watched their homes being washed away in the devastating floods.
Uzzaman said the time to act is now.
“Time is very critical now. We should be looking back to all those land use policies to see how to make them more resilient,” he said.
“With this increasing upheaval of climate change impacts…we really have to make sure we have the capability to be able to be resilient in those extreme situations.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.