Navigating Hazards, Risks, and Preparedness in Cowichan
South Coastal Area
South Coastal: Overview
The “South Coastal” area is along the southern coast of the Cowichan region. It includes the coastal communities of Mill Bay, Arbutus Ridge, and Cowichan Bay, and to the north Maple Bay and the following First Nations reserve lands: Kil-Pah-Las Reserve No. 3, Theik Reserve No. 2, Malahat Reserve No. 11, Halalt Reserve No. 2, Cowichan Reserve No. 1 east of the Trans-Canada Hwy, Hatch Point Reserve No. 12, and Cowichan Reserve 9.
Highway 1 serves as an important connector between communities, the rest of the region, Vancouver Island, and the mainland. The “South Coastal” area includes some agricultural lands, parks and beach access, the port of Cowichan Bay, smaller marinas and boating access, seaplane access in Maple Bay, and BC Ferries' Mill Bay ferry terminal.
Emergency Management Cowichan (EMC) acknowledges that the South Coastal area is where for thousands of years the Quw'utsun (Cowichan), Pauquachin, and Malahat Peoples have walked gently on these unceded territories.
About This Tool: You are viewing the Navigating Hazards, Risks, and Preparedness tool. This interactive resource serves to share information from the Cowichan Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability, and Resiliency Assessment. Learn more at the Emergency Management Cowichan’s (EMC) website .
Scroll down for risks affecting this area or use the navigation bar above.
What Risks Do We Face?
The Cowichan Region Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability, and Resiliency Assessment identified priority hazards to focus regional emergency preparedness efforts. Visit the EMC website to learn more.
In the “South Coastal” area, coastal flooding , hazardous material release , earthquake , drought , security incident , and extreme heat are highlighted for local preparedness efforts, given the coastal nature of this area, highway and ferry connectivity, higher population density, and potential impacts for utilities disruption to local residents and industry. Other hazards may also be a concern.
Scroll down or use the navigation bar above to explore each hazard, understand the risks your community faces, and consider what you can do for emergency preparedness.
Hazard
Risk
Coastal Flooding
Definition: Coastal flooding occurs when ocean water rises above usual levels due to storm surge, tides, waves, wind effects, or rising sea levels.
About this hazard: Coastal flooding is a key hazard for the “South Coastal” area due to its coastal geography, population density, and industrial and recreational uses near the shoreline, making this area more susceptible to impacts from rising sea levels, storm surges, and erosion.
Climate change is increasing the risk of coastal flooding, as sea levels are rising and coastal storms are becoming more frequent and severe.
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Coastal Flooding: What are examples of key impacts?
- Property and road damage.
- Loss of community connections.
- Ecosystem damage.
Coastal Flooding: Who might be impacted?
- People who live along the shoreline, especially First Nations communities and people who may need more support.
- Commuters who regularly rely on ferry services or low-lying transportation routes.
- Renters or residents without flood insurance.
- Recreational users or tourists who may not be able to access the shoreline due to safety concerns.
Coastal Flooding: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a coastal storm or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on flood preparedness and actions to take during a flood.
- Understand potential flood impacts by assessing whether your place is in a floodplain, and whether you have any flood protection and property flood insurance.
- Move important belongings from the basement or place items up on shelves.
- Create an evacuation plan in case of a flood and develop alternate routes to get to work or school in case of flooded roadways.
Hazardous Material Release
Definition: A hazardous material (HazMat) release is any uncontrolled release of material (e.g. toxic gases, radioactive material, acids, chemicals, gas, or oil spills), either in transit or at a fixed location, that poses an immediate threat to health, safety, and property. Sources include industrial sites, ports, marinas, boats, railways, and roadways.
About this hazard: Hazardous material releases are a key hazard for the “South Coastal” area due to population density, prevalence of industrial uses along the shoreline or on water, and cascading impacts of closing Highway 1 due to proximity to spills.
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HazMat Release: What are examples of key impacts?
- Ecosystem damage.
- Injury or death due to exposure.
- Disrupted business operations.
HazMat Release: Who might be impacted?
- People who live near the hazardous material release.
- People with chronic health conditions.
- Seniors and children who may be more sensitive to contaminants.
- People who are reliant on local foods and harvesting.
- Animals, plants, and other species (e.g. sea birds by oil spills).
HazMat Release: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a hazardous material release or other emergency happening in your area.
- Prepare for sheltering in place in your home or workplace, including having food, water, and emergency supplies.
- Keep N95 face masks on hand, purchase a portable air filter, or look into how to make your own air filter in case of poor air quality.
- Call 8-1-1 operated by HealthLinkBC for health advice on managing poor air quality.
- Check local seafood harvesting conditions, such as through the First Nations Health Authority’s We All Take Care of the Harvest (WATCH) program.
Earthquake
Definition: Earthquakes consist of ground-shaking resulting from a fault rupture, which can trigger landslides, liquefaction, and other secondary hazards (e.g., fires, floods, tsunamis).
About this hazard: Earthquakes are a key hazard in the “South Coastal” area, as it is near local fault lines in addition to the larger fault line west of Vancouver Island. This can impact where and how intense earthquakes are felt in the region. This area includes multiple urban centres, increasing risk.
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Earthquake: What are examples of key impacts?
- Infrastructure and utility disruptions.
- Widespread injury or death.
- Disruptive economic impacts.
Earthquake: Who might be impacted?
- Seniors, children, and people with disabilities who may need more supports to evacuate or shelter in place.
- People with chronic health conditions or who need health care assistance
- People working as first responders (safety and health).
- People who are unhoused or experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.
- People living, working, or using older buildings that have not been upgraded to protect against earthquakes.
Earthquake: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of an earthquake or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on earthquake preparedness and actions to take during an earthquake.
- Secure anything that may fall during an earthquake, and keep heavy objects stored low in your home or workplace.
- Practice Drop, Cover, Hold On actions.
- Create an emergency plan and build your emergency kit.
Drought
Definition: Drought is a lack of precipitation over an extended period, resulting in a water shortage. It is linked to extreme heat and wildfires and can cause food shortage as well as water service interruption.
About this hazard: Drought is a key hazard in the “South Coastal” area due to limited water resources, the high water demand and potential impacts on agriculture, and changing climate conditions. In particular, this is felt during the summer when precipitation is typically lower, and temperatures are higher.
Climate change exacerbates droughts by making them more frequent, longer, and more severe.
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Drought: What are examples of key impacts?
- Impact on water supply.
- Supply chain impacts.
- Damage to forest health, aquatic systems and other ecosystems.
Drought: Who might be impacted?
- Agricultural workers, including farmers and migrant workers.
- Rural communities using personal wells for drinking water.
- Rural communities in forested areas as it increases risk for wildfire.
- Displaced communities due to economic loss.
- Animal, plant, and ecosystem damage and loss.
Drought: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a drought or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on drought preparedness, drought conditions, and actions to take during a drought.
- Inform yourself about current water restrictions and abide by them.
- Reduce water consumption.
- Upgrade equipment and appliances to decrease water consumption, if possible.
Security Incident
Definition: A security incident is an act or interruption that poses a major threat to society. Examples include riots, demonstrations, bomb threats, active shooters, etc.
About this hazard: Security incidents are more prevalent in dense urban areas like the “South Coastal” area due to higher population, landmarks that may be targets for disruption, and community dynamics.
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Security Incident: What are examples of key impacts?
- Injury or death.
- Utility disruptions.
- Disconnection in community.
Security Incident: Who might be impacted?
- People in the direct vicinity of the security incident may be asked to shelter in place or evacuate.
- Serious implications to life safety may be at play depending on the nature of the security incident.
- People seeking medical care may not be able to access a hospital or clinic.
- Children may not be able to attend school or may be sheltered in place at school.
Security Incident: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of a security incident or other emergency happening in your area.
- Contact emergency authorities (e.g., call 9-1-1) and follow their instructions.
- Ensure safety for yourself and others.
- Prepare to shelter in place if you can access a secure location, or to evacuate following emergency responder directions.
- Make a plan for how to communicate with loved ones to keep them updated.
Extreme Heat
Definition: Extreme heat occurs when temperatures are significantly above average. Extreme heat warnings are given when daytime temperatures are over 29 °C and overnight temperatures do not fall below 16 °C for at least 48 hours.
About this hazard: Extreme heat is a hazard that poses several risks to the Cowichan region. Vancouver Island’s inland areas in particular can experience prolonged periods of hot and dry weather during the summer and can exacerbate existing drought, air quality, and wildfire risk conditions.
Climate change is bringing longer, more severe heat waves and hotter nights.
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Extreme Heat: What are examples of key impacts?
- Severe health impacts.
- Unsafe temperatures at work (indoor and outdoor).
- Ecosystem damage, including marine mass mortality events.
Extreme Heat: Who might be impacted?
- Seniors, children, and people with disabilities who are more sensitive to heat related illness.
- People without air conditioning or access to cooling centres.
- People with pre-existing conditions or on particular medications.
- People who are unhoused or experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.
- Rural communities where access to emergency services and health care facilities may be more limited.
- Animal, plant, and ecosystem damage and loss.
Extreme Heat: What can you do?
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of extreme temperatures or other emergency happening in your area.
- Visit the EMC website for information on extreme heat preparedness and actions to take during an extreme heat event.
- Stay hydrated and try to get to cooler spaces.
- Plan to check on neighbours and relatives who may be vulnerable to heat. If you are vulnerable, plan to connect with someone to let them know how you are coping.
- Purchase an air conditioner or box fan to cool down your home. Invite neighbours who don’t have air conditioning over to cool down.
Building Resilience
The Cowichan region is a region of community resilience. Here are some stories about how residents and organizations are building resilience across the region. These stories may provide useful insights and strategies that could be beneficial in your local area.
Learn More
To learn more about the information presented in this portal, visit:
- Visit the Emergency Management Cowichan website to stay informed.
- Sign up for Cowichan Alert to be notified of emergencies in the region.
- Join a Neighbourhood Preparedness Team to help emergency response on the ground.
- Curious how to bring in this content into the classroom? Add the “Master of Disaster” program to your curriculum.
- Questions? Email general@emcowichan.ca for more information.
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