How to prepare for a natural disaster and an evacuation

If you’re receiving Interior Health services in the community, your main health-care provider will regularly review any assistance you may require if you’re evacuated. If you have been identified as someone that will require assistance from Interior Health (IH), you will be contacted in the event of an evacuation. 

If you’re receiving IH services and have been evacuated and require those services to continue in your temporary location, get in touch with your main health-care provider.

• Home and Community Care: 1-800-707-8550
• Seniors Health Services: 1-800-707-8550
• Mental Health and Substance Use: 310-MHSU (6478)

Emergency Support Services (ESS) is a provincially funded program that provides basic supports like accommodation, food, clothing and other temporary supports to people who are evacuated during an emergency event. All B.C. residents are encouraged to pre-register with ESS before an emergency occurs. This will reduce delays if there are evacuations and people require these services.

Register with ESS

• Sign up for emergency notifications through your local government or regional district
• Find current information on emergencies in B.C. at EmergencyInfoBC or call 1-800-585-9559.
• Sign up for news and alerts with Interior Health
• Get air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins

Prepared BC recommends building two types of kits to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

An emergency kit is helpful if you’re forced to stay at home during a disaster. It consists of supplies in one or two containers, such as plastic bins or duffel bags. Store your emergency kit in an area of your home that’s easy to get to, such as a hall closet, spare room or garage.

What to include in an emergency kit

A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that's easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. It's a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle.

What to include in a grab-and-go-bag 

Prepared BC has a lot more information, including tips on packing water and helpful videos.

Related Stories@IH: What’s in your kit? Packing emergency kits or grab-and-go bags

Knowing your evacuation routes, where you are going, and with whom, can go a long way in preparing you for an evacuation. Always be prepared with an alternate plan in case there’s a problem.

Prepared BC offers a fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan, which records important information you'll need to stay safe, and helps you find out how to contact others if you get separated.

Seniors might also consider preparing the following:

• If you rely on a prescription, talk to your primary care provider about how to keep an extra supply or valid prescription in your emergency kit or grab-and-go bag
• A whistle or personal alarm to call for help
• Written instructions for special medical or mobility equipment
• Extra eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries
• Spare footwear with any special orthotics

Prepared BC has information on other emergency plans, such as hazard-specific guides like wildfires and floods.

Prepared BC notes it’s important to take time to create a trusted support network of at least three people (such as friends and family) to assist during an emergency. Add their contact information to a shared emergency plan.

Ensure you have your neighbours’ names, phone numbers and email addresses written down and have given a copy of these to your main health-care provider at IH. Inform them of a potential emergency destination, like a personal muster station, geographic location or a safe space (e.g. friend’s place in another community).

You should also advise members of your support network of any health conditions or medications and show them how to operate specialized medical or mobility equipment.

Don’t forget your beloved furry friend in your natural disaster planning! Ensure you have a plan in place and prepare a list of items your pet would need, for example:

• Leash
• Bed
• Crate
• Food
• Medication

Determine if there’s a place where you can go and take your pet with you. Careful planning can ensure you do not have to abandon your animal during an emergency.

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