The Regional District of Nanaimo will begin work on climate risk assessments after it got approved for a $150,000 grant from the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
According to the RDN, the study will provide the surrounding municipalities, and electoral areas, with a better understanding of the risks related to storm-surge flooding, and sea level rise in the region and how the district can adapt to climate change.
Vice-Chair Vanessa Craig says the funding of the study will allow the district to become more active and identify potential dangers before they strike.
“With approximately 74 per cent of RDN residents living in coastal areas, and millions of dollars of private and public infrastructure within metres of high-risk areas, having the most up-to-date information on coastal flood hazards and associated risks is critical for our region to be better prepared and resilient to coastal flood hazards,” she says.
The district says the study will provide an insight into several applications including emergency management, supporting land use, community and asset management planning and promoting public awareness of natural hazards in the region.
The study is expected to take two years to complete and will build on a study done in 2019 that revealed coastal flooding poses a significant risk to the region.
The study will include the City of Nanaimo, District of Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and electoral areas A, B, E, G and H.
