With an above average to high snow pack this year in our region increasing the possibility of spring flooding, the Regional District of Central Kootenay is urging everyone to take time now to become better informed and prepared.
Public safety begins at home, and individual preparedness can greatly reduce the potential impact of an emergency.
The District asks everyone to consider the following:
• Know the risks specific to your community.
• Develop a family emergency plan and practise it.
• Prepare an emergency kit for home and vehicle.
Property owners are responsible for protecting their land and property. To assist those property owners in potential flood areas, designated fire stations throughout the Regional District have sandbags only available for emergency use.
If high water is threatening your property these materials can prove useful, but remember, your safety is more important than your belongings. Stay safe and prepare before an event occurs. If you have experienced high water encroaching your property in the past, you may expect that again this year.
An emergency can happen anytime and everyone needs to be prepared to manage on their own for at least 72 hours.
For more information on personal and family preparedness including details on proper sandbagging techniques, visit the Provincial Emergency Program web site www.pep.bc.ca.
For information on river levels visit bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings.
For RDCK Public Notices please go to www.rdck.bc.ca/publicinfo/notices.html.
To report a flooding emergency call 1-800-663-3456.
/Submitted by the RDCK