Maple Ridge prepares for storm season and urges residents to get ready

As fall storm season begins, the City of Maple Ridge says it has completed flood-preparedness and drainage improvements and is urging residents to prepare for heavy rainfall and possible flooding.

Over the summer, City crews did maintenance in priority areas across Maple Ridge, including along McKenney Creek and the Alouette River, to support stormwater management and improve water flow. Work included ditching and skimming, clearing culverts and catch basins, flushing storm mains, and removing blockages, debris and sediment. The City has also updated its Flood Response Plan and continues to monitor water levels and weather through its FlowWorks network of gauges and hydrological sensors. Information is available at MapleRidge.ca/FlowWorks.

“Storms can develop quickly, and preparation makes a real difference,” said Edd Bennett, the City’s emergency program manager. He said crews had completed important drainage work to strengthen readiness for heavy rain, and asked residents, especially those near the North and South Alouette rivers, to take practical steps to prepare their homes and families.

The City’s preparedness work includes clearing catch basins and culverts, flushing storm mains and doing ditching work to improve water flow during heavy rain; removing debris and sediment and maintaining key drainage infrastructure in priority areas; and monitoring water levels and conditions through FlowWorks in coordination with provincial and federal partners. The City has also updated its Flood Response Plan, strengthened coordination with emergency, utility and other response partners, trained employees, refined crisis communications procedures and provided residents with emergency-preparedness information.

The City will use sandbagging equipment to prepare sandbags for residents in flood-prone areas when needed. It may also deploy its Hydrovac truck to clear debris from drainage systems and help prevent blockages. If sandbag pickup locations are needed, the City will share them through its social media channels and emergency alerts. Kirk McLeod, manager of sewers, drainage and fleet, said crews have been maintaining and improving infrastructure that moves water through the community. Removing debris and sediment, maintaining channels and stabilizing banks where needed can improve river flow, reduce flood risk, and help protect nearby homes, roads, utilities and other critical infrastructure.

Residents can reduce risks around their homes and neighbourhoods by clearing leaves and debris from nearby gutters and catch basins; avoiding walking, cycling or driving through flooded areas; and staying away from rivers and creeks during and after storms because banks may be unstable. The City also advises residents to keep children and pets safe around fast-moving water, check on neighbours who may need help, and plan to stay with friends or family outside known floodplains if an evacuation is needed.

Report downed trees, road debris or blocked storm drains on City property at MapleRidge.ca/Report or by calling 604-463-9581, available 24 hours a day. Stay at least 10 metres from downed power lines and call BC Hydro at 1-800-BCHYDRO. Residents can pre-register for Provincial Emergency Support Services at https://era-evacuees.embc.gov.bc.ca/registration-method.

The City is offering a new series of free emergency-preparedness workshops this year, focused on earthquake readiness. The practical information can also help residents prepare for floods, severe weather and extended power outages. All sessions will be held in the Fraser Room at the Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road. Sessions are Monday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Registration is required at MapleRidge.ca/EmergencyReadiness.

As of Oct. 1, the City has moved its emergency notifications to Alertable, a national notification tool used by communities across British Columbia. Residents and businesses that previously received City alerts through the City website or Voyent Alert app must sign up at MapleRidge.ca/Alert to continue receiving City-issued alerts and localized instructions about floods, fires, earthquakes, severe weather, evacuation notices and other hazards.

More information about flood preparedness and emergency planning is available at MapleRidge.ca/Flood or by emailing EmergencyProgram@MapleRidge.ca.