The next freshet season is only a few months away, and was a hot topic at Thursday’s Boundary Flood Recovery Update Meeting. The Recovery Team’s Paul Edmonds touched on The Flood Response Plan. He says community workshops are being considered, one of which is regarding correctly placing sandbags after hundreds of thousands were dispersed last Spring.
Edmonds says we know there’s a risk of flooding but not exactly what level, and the public will be kept up to date:
“We’re working at the River Forecast Centre, under the ministries and up to the local government and municipalities to rehearse what’s going to happen. So I’ve gone out to understand the trigger points that’s required, using local information as well as the hydrologist and the engineers….”
The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund application was submitted earlier this month, a just under-50 million dollar ask to The Government; an overall timeline of proposed DMAF projects was presented at that night’s meeting. Recovery Manager Graham Watt says there’s other projects requiring attention that aren’t included in that table.
Grand Forks Recovery Provincial Lead Ron Burleson explains:
“While we continue to collectively work on immediate needs throughout the winter and into spring, we’re adding focus, not taking away focus but adding focus to the long term. So Graham’s outlined the scope of the DMAF proposal which will go a long way to achieving sustainable long term solution, but we do expect that somethings are outside of the scope of DMAF.”
Burleson adds a Project Charter is collectively being worked on to ensure that all grounds are covered throughout the 5 year scope displayed on the table. Another topic was wellness, and the duties of Case Managers. Self-referrals are now being accepted, and you should contact Case Managers if you need advocacy, an explanation, or simply a helping hand. You can contact Case Managers through Boundary Family Services at 250-442-2267.
RDKB Chair Roly Russel addresses a previous comment from the room and closes the meeting by ensuring that all avenues are being explored in recovery:
“Absolutely, I mean that’s why you see Ron and the provincial team here because we’re pursuing other options, that’s why you see all the city councillors here because we’re pursuing other options, that’s why we still have a Flood Recovery Team. It’s because we’re trying to meet those objectives that we’ve specified, how can we look at this the best way we can for the community?”
Also Red Cross Small Business Support Program assistance returns to Grand Forks next week at 7425 5th Street (our office). More information on upcoming opportunities, including assistance in Rock Creek, is to follow.
Click here to visit the Flood Recovery website.
Click here to watch the full meeting.
Click here to read about the last Recovery Update Meeting.
