RESILIENCE RENOVATIONS REVOLUTION RECONCILIATION

Storms, waves, floods
Imagine Powell River in 100 years
What will Powell River look like 100
years from now? Government models
suggest that sea levels will be a metre
higher than they are now, and local
winter storms will produce bigger waves.
This will likely result in more ferry cancellations,
flooded roads, and docks
washed away.
“Climate change is a global issue that
all coastal communities need to come to
terms with,” says Laura Roddan, manager
of planning with the Powell River
Regional District (PRRD). “It needs to be
part of our decision-making for long-term
planning, and the whole region needs to
plan together on this.”
To communicate about the coming
impacts of climate change, the PRRD is
holding a planning information event on
Thursday, October 10, from 7 to 8:30 pm
at the Royal Canadian Legion.
Already, damage to properties along
the coast is occurring more regularly, and
is expected to worsen, according to Ryan
Thoms, Manager of Emergency Services
for the Powell River Regional District.
“There’ll be more water, warmer water,
and a bigger potential for storms. From
an emergency side, this is significant.
In the next 100 years we are looking at
something unprecedented in modern history
from sea level rise,” he said. “We’ve
had heavy flooding at Myrtle Rocks and
at the Beach Gardens. All you need is a
king tide and good storm plus a southeaster
[for the water to cover roads and
properties].”
Existing properties will need to be modified
and retrofitted, Thoms noted, and
new development needs to occur in tune
with the changing environment.
On October 10, two government speakers
will share information on strategies
coastal residents can use, to ensure their
properties are more resilient to rising
sea levels. The speakers are Thomas
White, manager of science and adaption
with the BC Ministry of Environment,
and Scott Tinis, a consulting oceanographer
to the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans.
They’re developing a storm surge prediction
system for the West Coast. And,
they’ll be sharing a toolbox, developed by
the province, for use by Sliammon First
Nation, the City of Powell River and the
Regional District.
Locally, planners are well aware of climate
change’s impacts.
It’s not only are those who own ocean
front property who are affected. Thoms’
colleague, PRRD planner Jason Gow, said,
“We are [all] affected because we all
use the coast for travel and pleasure. As
well, most of our infrastructure is located
within close proximity of the ocean.”
Brandy Peterson
Reliable answers to your
real estate questions
604 344-1234 direct
1-877-485-4231 toll free
powellriverrealestate.net
brandypeterson@shaw.ca
4766 Joyce Ave
HEAVY WINDS, HIGH SEAS: Big winter
storms and high tides can produce huge
waves causing emergency situations.
Nicole Rumley
Consultant
Photos by Derek Poole
nicole.rumley@investorsgroup.com
(604) 485-2552
Celebrating 10 years in Powell River,
thanks to all my clients and sub-contractors!
I appreciate you more than words can say
WORDS
OF WORTH
Linda Wegner
Ph. (604) 483-9210
linda@wordsofworth.ca
www.wordsofworth.ca
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