Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness Guides
Emergency Resources for BC’s Tourism Industry
During times of stress and uncertainty, it is important to share information from official sources only. There are a variety of resources available to help you prepare for emergencies, gather up-to-date information and help visitors plan their travel.
Step-by-step guides to prepare businesses and their staff for emergencies, with templates and tools to help operators easily plan a fast and effective response.
Destination BC Update
Emergency Resources for BC’s Tourism Industry
As you know, emergencies can impact travel, visitors and businesses at any time, and potentially influence those who may be planning a trip to our province.
Stay safe, stay informed
Emergency Info BC
Information about emergencies in BC, including evacuation orders and alerts.
Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC
Drive BC
Information about road closures, major events, and transportation delays.
Twitter: @DriveBC
FLOODS
River Forecast Centre
- Analyses snow pack, assesses seasonal water supply and flood risk, and predicts flows in BC’s rivers and streams. It produces a range of bulletins, maps and warnings to inform emergency managers and the public about current and upcoming streamflow conditions.
- Flood Warnings and Advisories
- Current Streamflow Conditions and Flood Forecast Modeling
- Snow Conditions and Water Supply Bulletins
WILDFIRES
- Twitter: @BCGovFireInfo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo/
- Campfire bans, restrictions and forest use
- Report wildfires to *5555 on a cell or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
PARKS AND RECREATION SITES—WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
- Information regarding Provincial campgrounds and park closures.
- http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
- Alerts, closures and warnings regarding BC’s rustic campsites and recreational trails.
- www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/camping-hiking/sites-trails/alerts
WEATHER ALERTS
- Resource for the latest weather information, statements, and air quality advisories.
- Twitter: @environmentca
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
- Information regarding emergency reception centres and assistance.
- Support for the displaced, and group lodging
- Community news, training and certification, support resources
- Evacuees can register with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582
- BC community support services
- Twitter: @RedCrossBCY
What Tourism Business Owners Can Do:
- Share these resources with your staff and follow key social media accounts for the latest news.
- Help your guests:
- If your business is located in an impacted area, provide your current customers and future reservations with regular updates, by directing them to official information sources.
- If your business is not impacted directly, help your current guests plan the rest of their trip to areas that are safe and open for business (your local visitor centre has a wealth of information on places to stay and things to do).
- If your business is not impacted directly, be proactive with future reservations—let your customers know it’s business as usual and you are looking forward to hosting them. British Columbia is a very large province and sometimes our out-of-province guests can get confused by geographically misleading information.
TIABC Updates
TIABC has created a wildfire public service announcement that tourism operators and stakeholders are encouraged to post at their places of business: www.tiabc.ca/psas
Flooding
See BC Parks website for most up to date information: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
The B.C. River Forecast Centre reports, “Disturbances such as fire affect the hydrologic response of streams, rivers and lakes relevant to potential flooding. Specifically, flows from snowmelt dominated watersheds impacted by fires tend to be greater and peak earlier as compared to undisturbed areas, even under normal weather conditions. Many of the regions affected by burns last summer have above normal snow packs this year.”
If you are experiencing flooding issues that affect your home or business, please call the Provincial Emergency Reporting Line at 1-800-663-3456.
