Welcome to FloodWise!

Explore FloodWise to learn about Fraser River flood and coastal flood hazards and risks in the Lower Mainland.

This portal provides important information about flood risk management and the work underway to reduce flood risks for the region

UNDERSTAND THE RISK

Flood 101

Flood 101

Pluvial, coastal, riverine – learn about the types of flood in British Columbia. And explore the most serious flood hazards faced by BC Lower Mainland communities.

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Flood Maps

Flood Maps

Flood maps typically show, at minimum, the area reached by floodwaters (the flood extent) for a flood event. Different types of flood maps show different information for specific purposes.

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Flood History

Flood History

BC’s Lower Mainland has experienced two major Fraser River floods in the past 130 years – and there are accounts of floods from much earlier times

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REDUCE THE RISK 

Flood Strategy

Flood Strategy

A BC Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy is in development to help people better understand flood risk and support flood risk reduction.

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Flood Toolkit

Flood Toolkit

Check out some of the many helpful online resources on flood.

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Reduce Flood Risk

Reduce Floods Risk

What exactly is flood risk – and in what ways can we collectively and individually reduce the risk?

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When the Waters Rise Videos

When the Waters Rise is a two-part video series (from 2020) that offers an overview of Fraser River and coastal flood hazards in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, the expected impacts of a large-scale flood in the region, and opportunities for flood risk reduction.

The focus of the videos is on large-scale Fraser River and coastal floods, which are the floods most likely to have widespread impacts across the Lower Mainland. Other types of flood, however, can also be serious. These include periods of heavy, sustained rainfall, such as the atmospheric rivers that resulted in the Nooksack River flooding of Sumas Prairie in November 2021.

Taking a Regional Approach to Flood

LOWER MAINLAND FLOOD MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 

The Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy (LMFMS) has been a multi-year collaborative initiative aimed at developing a regional strategy to reduce flood risk and increase the flood resilience of communities along the lower Fraser River and South Coast.

PHASE 1: Understanding Lower Mainland Flood Risks

2014 – 2016

Phase 1 of the LMFMS was focused on an analysis of LM flood scenarios, a regional assessment of flood vulnerabilities and a review of flood protection works and practices in the region.

PHASE 2: Informing a Strategy

2016 – 2023

Phase 2 of the LMFMS initiative emphasized the further development of tools and resources to inform governments and other entities with responsibilities for flood risk reduction. The process did not result in broad consensus for a strategy document, and the Leadership Committee has recognized that more work is needed. In particular, there is a need to align a regional strategy with the BC Flood Strategy and to co-create flood risk reduction plans with First Nations in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

There are two final reports, now available.

Next Steps

A final Pathways to Action report has been completed under the direction of the Leadership Committee for the LMFMS. A new process is expected to focus on government-to-government discussions based on the report. One area of emphasis is expected to be safeguarding critical infrastructure and essential services in the region

How Do I Protect Home & Business from Flood Risk?

• Tips on Protecting your Home & Business

• Useful Resources

Why Flood Management is Important

With water comes risk — including the risk of flood. The Lower Mainland is vulnerable to both coastal & river flooding.

Take the time to learn about flood hazards in the region.

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Large Lower Mainland floods in the past 125 years
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$ Billion of estimated losses from a large flood today
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$ Billion of estimated losses from a large flood by 2100
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Thousands of people who could be displaced by flood waters

FAQs

Check out the most Frequently Asked Questions on flood hazards and flood management

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