EmergencyBC seeks review of its handling of spring flooding threat

VICTORIA – B.C.’s provincial emergency program wants a report card on how it handled flooding caused by this spring’s snowpack runoff.

The executive officer of Emergency Management BC says it’s seeking proposals to have an external assessment completed.

Cameron Lewis says such assessments are considered a best practice when a larger, more complex event occurs, involving the co-ordination of several agencies.

He says the review should be complete by the end of next month.

Melting of heavier-than-normal snowpacks was delayed by a cool spring across much of B.C., and when the melt finally began, torrential rains added to the rising waters, causing floods or slides.

Notable incidents in June and July included severe damage around Sicamous and Fairmont Hot Springs, when debris dams on surging creeks gave way, sending torrents of muck downstream. (CHNL)