Options available to help B.C. farmers, ranchers with flood fallout

Several organizations are collecting donations to help farmers and ranchers affected by flooding in British Columbia.

The B.C. Agriculture Council said donations can be made at its website at www.bcac.ca adding it is not a registered charity and cannot issue charitable donation receipts.

“The organization has already received $100,000 in donations, including $30,000 from Scotiabank, $25,000 each from CIBC and Envision Financial, and $20,000 from Mertin Auto Group in Chilliwack,” it said earlier this week.

The B.C. Horse Council is accepting donations at https://hcbc.online/Donate.

Donations can also be made to the Red Cross at https://www.redcross.ca/in-your-community/british-columbia-and-yukon, and the United Way at https://uwbc.ca/flood/.

The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association has launched an online survey to help it determine how to best support beef producers affected by the disaster.

It contains 12 questions focusing on flood impacts to ranch operations, asking producers to estimate losses involving livestock, pastures, fences, buildings, wells and roads. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6YPY2FD.

The BCCA also compiled links to mental health resources as provided by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries:

The ministry’s Mental Health Resources Directory, download here.

AgSafe’s Mental Wellness Resource, called Avail, download here.

Health Emergency Management BC, Requesting Telephone Support, download here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please contact 911 or the Crisis Line: 1-800-SUICIDE.

Other resources: Getting Support: Emergency Operation Centres

The first step for producers who need assistance during the flood is to contact their local Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).

Interior Local Government EOCs:

Merritt – 1-250-378-8633

Thompson Nicola Regional District – 1-866-377-7188;

Princeton – 1-250-295-7511;

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen – 1-250-490-4225;

Nooaitch Indian Band – 1-250-378-6141;

Lower Similkameen Indian Band – 1-250-499-5528.

Fraser Valley Local Government EOCs:

Abbotsford – 1-604-853-3566

Fraser Valley Regional District (Chilliwack) – 1-604-845-8873

District of Kent – (604) 796-2235

Agriculture Flooding Emergency Resources

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, click here.

BC Agriculture Council, visit: https://bcac.ca/

MNP has compiled a list of resources for those impacted by flooding in BC, click here.

Information for flood evacuees, visit EmergencyInfoBC

Livestock Relocation, click here

Works in and about a stream

Producers looking for information on bank stabilization during a flood emergency can refer to the links below:

Financial assistance in a disaster – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Thompson Okanagan Guidance for Instream Work During a Flood Emergency – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Note: Disaster Financial Assistance has a provision for “existing protective works designed to protect banks from erosion” listed as eligible farm operation expenses.