Preparing for severe weather
in British Columbia

British Columbia floods

Flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster in British Columbia, particularly in the spring and fall when heavy rainfall and snowmelt increase the risk.

Flooding in BC is commonly caused by:

• Atmospheric rivers bringing heavy rainfall
• Rapid snowmelt from mountain regions
• Rising sea levels and storm surges along the coast

How big of a risk are floods in British Columbia?

The geography of BC makes flooding a real concern. In fact, the Government of British Columbia’s hazard map identifies flooding as a risk in nearly every region of the province.

Some of the most recent devastating floods in the province happened in southern BC in 2021, causing more than $675 million in insured losses. In 2024, the floods in southwestern BC caused $120 million in insured losses.

British Columbia wildfires

Wildfire season in BC typically runs from April to October, with the peak occurring in July and August. Wildfires are becoming increasingly severe due to hotter, drier summers.

How big of a risk are wildfires in British Columbia?

BC is one of Canada’s most wildfire-prone provinces. On average, BC experiences nearly 1,500 wildfires a year, particularly in the interior and northern regions, including near populated areas like Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Revelstoke, Nelson, Prince George and Fort St. John.

Wildfires also present a risk across the entirety of Vancouver Island.

While wildfires are less common in the lower mainland, the Rutherford Creek wildfire near Pemberton in 2024 served as a stark reminder that forested areas near the coast are also at risk.

Wildfires across BC have resulted in mass evacuations and caused significant damage to property. For example, notable fires near White Rock Lake, Lytton, the Okanagan and Shuswap caused more than $900 million combined in insured losses between 2021 and 2023.

British Columbia earthquakes

British Columbia is the most earthquake-prone region in Canada, as it lies along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. While major earthquakes have been rare, tremors do pose a significant risk to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

How big of a risk are earthquakes in British Columbia?

While earthquakes are common in BC, most go unnoticed. But the potential for a severe earthquake is a concern, with the Government of British Columbia saying a damage-causing earthquake is expected at least once every 10 years.

The west coast of British Columbia is most at risk for an earthquake. This includes populated areas across Vancouver Island (including Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Port Alberni and Courtney) and the lower mainland (such as the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Whistler).