Every year in Canada, flooding causes an average of $1 billion in damage to homes, properties and infrastructure. Here in BC, devastating floods, mudslides and washouts are becoming more frequent, especially in areas like Merritt, Spences Bridge, Princeton, Duffey Lake Road and the Malahat Highway, and low-lying communities along the Fraser River such as Hope, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

Though floods in BC are most common in the spring, they can be caused year-round by heavy rains, storm surges, snow melts at higher elevations and damaged dikes or dams. Flooding can happen anywhere, too, not only if you live near a body of water. So, it’s important to know how to prepare and protect yourself, your home and vehicle.

At BCAA, we want to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared in the unfortunate event of a flood. Follow these tips and get peace of mind knowing that you’re protected during peak flood season in BC.

Know your risk

Find out if your community is at risk of flooding. Is your neighbourhood built on a floodplain? The BC government has posted these floodplain maps (1987-1998) by region. In 2021, Western University released the first Canada-wide flood maps—they show how floodplains could be flooded over the next 80 years under various climate change scenarios.

Make an emergency plan and make sure your family knows it

It's important to know how you'll get out of your home, and safely out of your community, if you need to be evacuated. First step: make an emergency plan. This will ensure your family, including your kids, know your evacuation route and how you'll communicate with each other should extreme weather hit. 

Be sure to write down everyone's phone numbers and emails. Also, write down and memorize where to meet up if you get separated. Pick a meeting spot close to your home, like a nearby hill or neighbour’s house. You should also pick a backup meeting spot away from your immediate neighbourhood, like your nearby library or community building.

To help you create your emergency plan, use the BC government’s Fill-in-the-blanks Home Emergency Plan. It also encourages you to establish a virtual emergency meeting place online (like a closed Facebook group or Whatsapp chat for just your family), so you can all stay in touch if you get physically separated by a flood.

Create an emergency kit

Prepare an emergency kit (a.k.a. grab-and-go-bag) for your home and another emergency kit in each vehicle. Each emergency kit should contain enough food, water, and supplies to sustain your family for at least 72 hours. BCAA Members save 20% on emergency kits for home and personal use with our rewards partner F.A.S.T. (First Aid & Survival Technologies Limited)**.

Watch our Fast Facts video on how to prepare your own emergency kit.

Basic helpful flood preparation tips in case the worst happens

There are a few helpful preventative measures you can take to prepare for floods in and around your home if they happen.

Leave if you have to evacuate

Leave your home when you’re advised to do so by emergency authorities. Don’t ignore the warnings from BC emergency authorities, as you could jeopardize the safety of your family or people who may have to come to your rescue.

If there’s time, bring in your outdoor items (BBQ, lawn furniture, garbage cans) or tie them down securely. Once evacuation is certain, turn off your electricity at the main power switch and turn the gas off at your main gas valve.

Don’t try to cross a flooded area

Follow the evacuation route given to you by officials. Don’t take a shortcut as you could get trapped in a dangerous area. Never cross a flooded area. If you’re walking, fast-moving water could sweep you away. Travelling by vehicle? Don’t drive through flood waters or underpasses. That water could be deeper than it appears and your vehicle could get stuck or swept away. You can lose control of your vehicle in just six inches of water. You should also avoid crossing bridges if the water’s high and flowing fast.

Know where to find emergency flood updates

To find reliable information during a flood, start with your local sources. This could be your municipality, regional district, band office or local authority. Know in advance how they’ll share flood updates, whether it’s through their website, phone, real-time social media or local radio and TV broadcasts.

You can also check official BC channels for updates. Emergency Info BC shares advisories, advice and recovery info for large emergencies (like floods) that may need support from the provincial government. Check their website and follow them on X for updates.

Only consume clean, safe water and food

Never drink flood water or use it to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash or prepare your food. You should only drink clean, safe water. Listen to boil water advisories, too, when you should only use bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking and washing up. Your local authorities will alert you when the water’s safe again for drinking and bathing.

As for food during a flood, the #1 flood-food rule is ‘When in doubt, throw it out.’ It’s a shame to waste food but you must throw away any food or bottled water that comes from (or has been in contact with) floodwater.

Make sure you have the right insurance coverage

Now is the perfect time to review your insurance policies, so you fully understand your coverage in the event of a flood. Shopping around for a new insurance policy? BCAA offers flood coverage when eligible to protect you, your family and the longevity of your home.

Keep your home insurance up to date

It may be difficult to purchase home insurance as a natural disaster is unfolding so make sure you're always covered – including flood season. Know what coverage you have and whether you need to update your policy with any major renovations or property changes before a flood strikes. Learn more about protecting your home with BCAA Home Insurance.

For more information on BCAA's flood coverage, visit bcaa.com/flood.

^{Home Insurance is sold through B.C.A.A. Holdings Ltd. dba BCAA Insurance Agency, a licensed insurance agency, and underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation.}

^{*From 2022 to 2023, BCAA paid out over 95% of home insurance claims related to fire, water, weather and theft. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.}

^{**BCAA Member savings on insurance products are only available with Basic, Plus, or Premier Membership plans. For full details, please visit bcaa.com/plans.}