[Report] After the flood: Community Response and Recovery

Globally, natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity. This shift can be attributed to a variety of complex factors including a changing climate, populations growing in disaster-prone areas, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient emergency management processes. The sudden onset of the flood in November 2021 in Abbotsford, British Columbia forced residents, organizations, and governments to quickly mobilize in response to the needs of citizens and to prevent further damage. Fortunately, there were no

reported human fatalities in Abbotsford as a direct result of the flood. That said, the Insurance Board of Canada estimates insurable losses at close to $675 million dollars, with some estimates of the total cost of recovery from the flood being up to $9 billion dollars. In a report released shortly after the flood, Public Safety Canada warned of the potential consequences if communities are unable to properly invest in preparedness and response measures.

This report identifies some of the groups who faced complex challenges, what some of those challenges were, specific services individuals identified that could have been improved, and changes and recommendations people who responded to or experienced the flood have suggested in order to strengthen the response to future disasters.