The City monitors Environment Canada’s weather forecasts and updates from the provincial River Forecast Centre to provide information on streamflow conditions, and flood warnings and advisories.

• High Streamflow Advisory: River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected.  Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
• Flood Watch: River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bank full.  Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
• Flood Warning: River levels have exceeded bank full or will exceed bank full imminently and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.

• Wet weather events (including rain on snow and atmospheric rivers)
• Freshet
• Sewer and water infrastructure failures
• Dam ovetopping, breach, or failure

• Know if you are in a flood-risk area.
• Watch for warning signs in your nearby environment: increases in water height and intensity in streams and rivers, mudslides, debris in creeks, colour changes in water, leaning trees or cracks developing on hillsides.
• Monitor this website and local newspapers; stay tuned to local radio stations for directions from local officials as to what to do in case of severe flooding risk.
• Know where you can get information about weather reports and current conditions.
• Keep a full gas tank in your vehicle.
• Create an emergency plan that every household member knows. The plan should include information on how to shut off electrical power and natural gas sources, safe meeting places out of the flood-risk area, an out-of-province contact, plans for pets and livestock, and a neighbourhood safety plan that identifies people who may need extra help.
• Put together an emergency supply kit, including at least a three-day’s supply of food and water for each family member. Include a windup or battery-powered radio, flashlight and batteries, prescription medications and important papers.
• Ensure each member of your family has warm clothing and waterproof footwear, and ensure that each family member has identification. Name tags on children’s clothing, wallet cards and wristbands are useful in case you are separated. Remind every member of your household on the location of your family emergency meeting place.
• Make advance arrangements for your pets and any livestock.

If flooding occurs within Port Coquitlam, residents could be affected. As such, the following steps should be undertaken in the lead up to historical flood seasons:

• Keep nearby catch-basins clear of debris to help prevent street flooding, and report damaged catch-basins to portcoquitlam.ca/report or the free PoCo Sort & Report app (portcoquitlam.ca/sortreport),
• Move personal items from low-lying areas to prevent loss.
• Move vehicles to street-level parking if parked underground.
• Review and update your personal or family emergency kit and emergency preparedness plan; inclusive of:
  • ensuring each family member has identification. For example, name tags on children’s clothing, wallet cards and wristbands are useful in case you are separated;
  • reminding family members of your family emergency meeting place and out-of-area contact person; and
  • identifying communication channels that you will use to stay apprised of the potential event, e.g. monitoring the City’s social media and downloading the City’s Alertable app to receive life-saving information during an event.

When there is a potential for flooding, flood warning precautions and instructions will be shared through the City’s social media channels and website, and, if necessary, via the City’s Alertable app and door-to-door. During periods of heightened risk and should flooding occur, the following tips should be considered by residents:

• Limit travel when possible. If absolutely necessary, drive, bike or walk carefully, and do not enter flooded roads or pathways. Watch for debris and use four-way stop procedures at intersections when signals aren’t working. Stay clear of fast-flowing watercourses and potentially unstable riverbanks during high-stream flow periods.
• Check on neighbours who may need help, such as seniors, people with special needs, or families with young children.
• Report flooding, trees of concern, fallen branches or other issues on City property at portcoquitlam.ca/report, by emailing publicworks@portcoquitlam.ca, calling 604-927-5496 or on the PoCo Sort & Report app. Trees on private property are the owner’s responsibility.
• Report downed power lines to 911 and then BC Hydro: 1-888-POWER-ON. If you come across a downed or damaged power line, stay back at least 10 metres (30 feet).
• Only call 911 when there is imminent danger to people or property, and immediate police or fire assistance is required.
• Above-normal snowpack in the Fraser River watershed brings the potential for flooding in late May and June. If flooding occurs along the Fraser, certain parts of Port Coquitlam could be affected. Please use extreme caution along the dikes and other watercourses at these times, as the water is flowing very quickly.

Call the non-emergency numbers for Coquitlam RCMP (604-945-1550) or Fire & Emergency Services (604-927-5466) when there is no immediate emergency.

• Move basement furniture and other items to a higher floor.
• Electrical service – Shut off power to your home, but do not attempt to turn off power if the room is already flooded.
  • Electrical appliances – Unplug electrical appliances and move them to a higher level;
  • Get information about electrical safety – BC Hydro and BC Safety Authority.
• Know how to safely shut off your natural gas – Fortis BC.
• Gas or oil furnaces and appliances – Oil or water tanks will float if not full. If unable to fill, weigh down with sandbags or wedge against a solid object. Propane gas tanks may float whether full or empty you might want to tie a chain or cable around the tank to anchor it and prevent it from floating away.
• Plumbing fixtures and water supplies – Turn off the water supply. Plug all basement sewage connections (toilets, sinks, showers) with a wooden plug or other device. (You can create your own plug by using two garbage bags, one inside the other, and fill with two shovels of sand.) The plug should be held in place with a heavy weight.
• Items that may cause contamination – pesticides, weed killers, fertilizers and other such items should be moved to higher levels.
• Sewer system – To relieve overloading, disconnect any downspouts that drain to them.
• Outdoor items – Move to higher ground all items such as furniture and barbecues that could be damaged by flooding or that may float and cause damage.
• Sandbagging – If you have time to construct a dike, build it on high ground, close to your home. This way, fewer sandbags will be needed and the dike will be less exposed to any nearby streams. Dig a trench one bag in depth and two bags wide as a foundation for the dike structure. A dike must be three times as wide at its base as it is high.
• Polyethylene sheeting – In preparation for severe flooding you may wish to use polyethylene (plastic) sheeting on the exterior lower levels of your home.

• Always follow the instructions of local emergency officials
• Turn off and unplug all appliances, lock doors and windows.
• Know how to safely turn off all utilities at the main switches or valves.
• Take your grab-and-go emergency supply kit with you.
• Leave a note in your mailbox saying where you’ve gone and inform an out-of-province contact.
• Special consideration needs to be given to those with special needs: tell visually impaired people the nature of the emergency and guide them through any dangerous areas; for those with hearing impairment, write out what is happening and tell them the evacuation procedure.
• Listen to emergency personnel and follow their directions. Do not take shortcuts, as you may end up in a blocked or dangerous area.
• Do not walk through moving water. Water can be deeper than it appears. It only takes 60 cm (2 ft.) to sweep a car away and as little as 15 cm (6 in.) of moving water can cause you to fall.
• Register with the local reception centre if you are evacuated so emergency responders know you are safe and how to reach you.

• Fraser Health – flood planning
• Fraser Health – water quality advisories
• BC Ministry of Health – flooding and your health
• BC Ministry of Health – cleaning up your home after a flood
• HealthLink BC – how to disinfect drinking water

• Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery – flood preparation and prevention information
• Red Cross – emergency preparedness information
• Government of Canada – emergency preparedness information
• Government of BC – Flood emergency preparedness and response information
• Fraser Basin Council – Flood hazard management

• Horse Council of BC – disaster preparedness for horses
• BC Ministry of Agriculture – flood preparedness

Ministry of Transportation: Disaster Response Routes – A network of roads are identified that can best move emergency services and supplies to where they are needed in the event of a major disaster. Public awareness and cooperation is necessary to keep these Disaster Response Routes clear following an earthquake or other disaster in the interest of saving lives and protecting property.

Ministry of Environment: Integrated Flood Hazard Management Home Page – Everything you need to predict flooding, from the Water Management experts at the Ministry of Environment; who does what, and how it is done.

First Nations Emergency Services Society – FNESS assists First Nations in developing and sustaining safer and healthier communities through various programs and services.

Fortis BC – Flood information for homeowners with natural gas appliances: tips on what to do before a flood, upon evacuation, precautions to take and what to do after a flood.

BC Hydro – Information for homeowners regarding your personal safety, and your home’s electrical safety when you experience a flood, earthquake or wildfire.

BC Safety Authority – Home safety in flood situations: Protect your gas and electrical appliances and systems.

St. John Ambulance, Canada: Health and Safety Training – No matter what you do, it pays to have first aid skills. St. John Ambulance is Canada’s leader in first aid training and products.