Environment and Conservation
Justice and Public Safety
November 28, 2014
Adapting to Climate Change Benefits Families and Communities
Hurricane Season Flood Alert System Available Online
The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today the Hurricane Season Flood Alert System is now available online. The alert system allows online access to updates of the province’s flood maps and establishes a risk alert system to warn local residents and travellers when flood risks are high.
The webpage contains up-to-date information for 45 different communities and information is provided quickly and easily on current hurricane and flood alerts in those areas.
“Since the creation of the Hurricane Season Flood Alert System in 2011, over 10,000 storm forecasts have been generated resulting in 131 flood alerts being issued in 45 communities and areas across the province. This webpage will inform the public about the alert system and provide information on precipitation amounts and potential flooding events. This initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to emergency preparedness as well as preparing for the impacts of climate change.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation
From June to December each year, daily precipitation projections are recorded and projected rainfall amounts are compared with water flow rates in the province’s river systems. Alerts are forwarded to potentially impacted communities and areas through Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador and these alerts will now be posted online.
Information provided by the service includes:
- Projected 12-hour and 24-hour precipitation for each location;
- Historical peak precipitation on a 20-year and 100-year basis for each location;
- Estimated time when precipitation will start; and
- Highlighted locations where projected precipitation is expected to exceed 20-year and 100-year limits.
“Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador has significant experience and expertise in place to support communities in developing, maintaining and exercising emergency management plans. The hurricane and flood alert system is an additional resource that can help communities better prepare for storms and potentially help municipalities and local service districts reduce costs related to storm repairs and damages. Emergency planning is extremely important to public safety, and the Provincial Government encourages all residents and communities to be prepared.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services
QUICK FACTS
- The Hurricane Season Flood Alert System is now available online.
- The Hurricane Season Flood Alert System is part of a commitment contained in the 2011 Climate Change Action Plan and further contributes to the Provincial Government’s objective of improving flood risk awareness and preparedness in the province.
- The Department of Environment and Conservation works collaboratively with Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador to execute the Hurricane Season Flood Alert system.
- The webpage is available online at: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/waterres/flooding/hurricane.html
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Media contacts:
| Deborah Thomas Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 709-729-2575, 728-8092 deborahthomas@gov.nl.ca |
Bradley Power Public Relations Specialist Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-0857, 690-1810 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
2014 11 28 11:10 a.m.