Courtenay Launches Flood Management Plan As Climate Change Progresses

As climate change progresses, communities located near the ocean and rivers, including the City of Courtenay, are preparing for flooding due to extreme storms, sea level rise, snowmelt, and extreme precipitation.

The City is developing a city-wide Flood Management Plan to understand flood risk across the city and identify actions to reduce the impact of future flood events.

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said flooding is a very real risk to the city. He says by taking proactive steps to reduce flood risk, they’ll be better able to help reduce the impacts of future floods, and be more resilient and prepared over the long term.

Residents can share their concerns, and experiences of flooding in Courtenay through an online survey at City of Courtenay. 

It’ll be up til May 24th , and paper copies are available at City Hall.

There’s also an upcoming online community information session next month to learn more about flooding when you can also share your thoughts on recommended strategies for addressing flood risk.  

The City says it is working with a team of consultants to map out who and what is at risk of flooding. This information will be used to identify options to minimize the impact of future flood events. Options may include relocating buildings and critical infrastructure, upgrading existing infrastructure, directing development to higher ground, and helping build resilience of those located in the flood hazard area.

The Plan will be informed by past work, including Courtenay’s new Official Community Plan, the Comox Valley Regional District Floodplain Mapping Project, and the CVRD Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy, along with other flood-related projects previously conducted at the City of Courtenay.