SLRD Emergency Notification System used this week to alert Area A residents of power outage

Jul 21, 2016
Affected Communities: 
All Areas

On Sunday July 17, in a spate of storm-related debris flows, a mudslide knocked out a key hydro pole supplying power to most of Electoral Area A.

Power was down for 48 hours in the Upper Bridge River Valley as BC Hydro crews worked to restore service, installing a new pole, anchors and culverts by helicopter.

During this time, the SLRD used its emergency notification system, SLRD Alert, to share updates with residents.  

Alerts can be sent simultaneously to email, landline phone and cellphone as text or voice message. Subscribers can select their preferred methods.

While updates received from BC Hydro were posted to the slrd.bc.ca website and shared out via social media, for anyone online and checking in, the SLRD Alert emergency notification service allowed the SLRD to notify subscribers directly and personally, as soon as that information was available.

Cellphone reception is a challenge in some areas of the SLRD, but when information is able to get through to some residents, it can be more widely shared on the ground. 

The emergency mass notification system, powered by ePACT, was launched in June 2015. Residents and property owners in the electoral areas can sign up for free. 

SLRD Alert is designed to:

  • alert you of emergency events in your area, 
  • provide information updates after an emergency event occurs,   
  • enable family members or emergency contacts that you choose to also get the alerts you see. 

In a major emergency or disaster, SLRD Alert can be a key tool in family reunification, and lets the SLRD provide information updates and build a database of important information such as people who need assistance to evacuate. 

In the event of a lesser emergency like a road closure or power outage, SLRD Alert empowers residents with updates and information.

We encourage everyone not currently on SLRD Alert to take a few minutes and subscribe to this service at http://www.slrd.bc.ca/services/emergency-management/slrd-alert-sign

Photos courtesy of Michelle Nortje.

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