B.C. ready to proceed with permanent repairs to flood damaged Coquihalla Highway
March 24, 2022 The Canadian PressHOPE, B.C. – The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says it is moving ahead with permanent repairs to a key B.C. highway damaged by catastrophic flooding last November. A statement from the ministry says it has begun the process to…
B.C. climate change initiative needs to look further than recovery, expert says
February 25, 2022 Dirk Meissner - THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – A disaster expert who led recovery teams after the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed more than 230,000 people says British Columbia’s climate response strategy must protect the province from future environmental events. The B.C.…
B.C. budget includes $2.1B in disaster relief
February 23, 2022 Dirk Meissner - THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – British Columbia has earmarked $2.1 billion to fund disaster recovery efforts and future response to the threats posed by wildfires, floods and heat waves in a budget that forecasts a $5.5-billion deficit. Finance Minister Selina Robinson said Tuesday…
Study suggests climate change made B.C. floods at least twice as likely
February 16, 2022 Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSCatastrophic floods that swamped much of southern British Columbia last fall were at least twice as likely because of climate change, suggests new research from Environment Canada. The study, now undergoing peer review, concludes that the likelihood of similar events…
Governments announce $228 million agriculture recovery fund after B.C. floods
February 8, 2022 The Canadian PressVICTORIA – Agricultural producers affected by devastating flooding in British Columbia last November can apply for recovery funds through a $228-million package announced Monday by the provincial and federal governments. The total losses for the agricultural sector from flooding that…
Claims costs keep rising for B.C. catastrophes
January 18, 2022 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia’s costliest severe weather event in provincial history just got more expensive. Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) confirmed to Canadian Underwriter Friday that the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry expects to pay out $515 million for claims…
Manitoba grand chief says $85.5M settlement for flood damage is fair
January 18, 2022 The Canadian PressWINNIPEG – The grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the latest court settlement for property owners affected by devastating flooding more than a decade ago is fair. The Manitoba government diverted water from the Assiniboine River to…
Expert panel says Canada needs to ‘up its game’ on climate data to better adapt
January 13, 2022 Mia Rabson - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – A new report suggests Canada is not doing enough to adapt to and prevent the effects of climate change and is lacking the critical data it needs to do so. “I mean, 2021 has really now been a…
Atmospheric river packing several powerful rainstorms heading for southern B.C.
January 10, 2022 The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – Power has been restored in two Vancouver Island communities that lost electricity early last week as snow, ice and wind storms pounded parts of British Columbia, but forecasters warn another powerful system is on the way. BC Hydro…
Insurance isn’t enough: Governments need to do better on natural disaster resilience
January 7, 2022 The Canadian PressBy Anne E. Kleffner, Professor, Risk Management and Insurance, University of Calgary and Mary Kelly, Chair in Insurance and Professor, Finance, Wilfrid Laurier University This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis…
Why the B.C. floods had less insured damages than the Calgary flood
January 5, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBritish Columbia suffered its worst flood in the province’s history in late 2021, causing approximately $450 million in insured damages, according to estimates by Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). Still, the insured damages pale in comparison to Canada’s costliest flood, which…
B.C. farmers ‘white knuckling’ their way through extreme cold after floods, heat dome
January 4, 2022 Amy Smart - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Richard Bosma’s cows had been home for less than a week after an evacuation due to flooding in Abbotsford, B.C., before temperatures plummeted on his farm. Bosma, who credits his faith with helping him remain resilient in a…