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B.C. wildfires causing local review of evacuation policies

Jul 17, 2017 | 5:18 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With evacuation centres filling in British Columbia, it’s causing flashbacks for some in southern Alberta.

Life in Medicine Hat changed in July of 2013, with the South Saskatchewan River spilling its banks and flooding the city.

Around 10,000 Medicine Hat residents were told to leave their homes, with the ‘Flats’ area being the hardest region hit.

Elvin Christianson was forced from his home with six feet of water in his basement, and said his family lost a great deal in the flood.

“Bed, a chesterfield, TV, and things for kids [where] they used to play. And, it was gone.”

In the years since the flood, the City has revamped their emergency planning protocol, particularly in the area of communication.

This includes their ‘Notify Me Now’ emergency notification system, as well as improving communication between City departments.

“Over the past year or two, we have been implementing different types of processes,” said Director of Emergency Management Merrick Brown. “Making it easier, smoother we’ll say, and having that communication flow that much better.”

Going live in October, the Notify Me Now system allows the City to alert residents through phone calls, text messages, and email.

Brown said the system is necessary because disasters can strike anywhere and at anytime.

“Regardless of where you live in the city, you could be evacuated based on the type of event that’s impacting us,” he said. “To prepare for that evacuation, it’s always important to have some personal items ready for you to go.”

These items include food, a change of clothes, and copies of important documents.

The Medicine Hat Police Department has first hand experience in these disasters, sending officers to Fort McMurray last year to help fight the wildfires.

S/Sgt. Brian Christmann said police are vital to keeping order during chaotic times.

“The people look for the police for guidance a lot of times, and that’s essentially what our role is,” said Christmann. “To provide some guidance to these people, to make decisions that sometimes people just can’t seem to make on their own.”

Rebuilding his home a few years ago, Christianson added the evacuation remains a tough memory to look back on.

“Wouldn’t want anybody else to have to suffer through it.”

Since 2013, the City of Medicine Hat has spent $33 million in berms to help prevent future flooding.