Courtenay Launches Flood Management Plan

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

To reduce this risk, the City of Courtenay 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. Find resources, feedback opportunities, and sign up for the project newsletter at www.courtenay.ca/floodready

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said flooding is a very real risk to the city. “We’re fortunate enough to have many kilometers of shorelines in Courtenay, but this also makes us vulnerable,” said Wells. “We’ve seen it with past floods, and we know that climate change will increase water levels from both the ocean and rivers as we face extreme weather events, greater rainfall, and future sea level rise. By taking proactive steps to reduce our flood risk, we will help our community reduce the impacts of future floods, and be more resilient and prepared over the long term.”

The City wants to hear from you:

• Fill out a survey 
  Share your values, concerns, and experiences of flooding in Courtenay through an online survey by May 24, 2023. Paper surveys are also available at City Hall.
  
  
• Register for a free online community information session 
  Thursday, June 15th from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  Learn more about coastal and riverine flooding and share your thoughts on recommended strategies for addressing flooding risk.  

A second survey to collect feedback on the options to address flooding will be available mid-June.

The City 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 (OCP), the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Floodplain Mapping Project, and the CVRD Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy, along with other flood-related projects previously conducted at the City of Courtenay.

The Flood Management Plan will support complex decision-making to reduce flood risk over the short and long term. Public engagement will inform the project, to ensure the perspectives and priorities of the community are reflected in the proposed solutions.