Natural Hazards in my Community (Abbotsford) - Essay Example

Natural Hazards in my Community (Abbotsford) 1. Introduction Abbotsford, British Columbia is located in the heart of Fraser Valley, and it is the largest city in Fraser Valley District. Abbotsford municipality has rich delta soils that it make the most productive agricultural in the entire of British Columbia. Farming and agro-processing generates most of Abbotsford’s wealth, and this attracts. Sumas Mountain is a geographical feature located in Abbotsford. Abbotsford municipality is located far away from the Pacific Ocean and within the Fraser Valley Basin. This location exposes several natural hazards to Abbotsford community. Below is the map of Abbotsford. Figure 1: Map of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada Scale 1:25000 Adapted from Google Maps 2. Natural hazards that may impact Abbotsford Community The natural hazards that may impact Abbotsford community include earthquakes, flooding, volcanic hazards such as landslides, ash falls volcanic mudflows. Abbotsford enjoys a mild climate, and the natural hazards are possible risks that do not occur often. There is the risk of the natural hazards occurring in Abbotsford, and, therefore, the community should be informed of their possible occurrence. Being informed is important as it results in appropriate disaster management and mitigation efforts.1 3. Why Natural Hazards Occur in Abbotsford Abbotsford community may experience flooding due to Fraser River breaking its banks. Exceedingly warmer weather in the interior of British Columbia can cause melting of huge quantities of snow formed during winter.2 As snow melts, it flows into the Fraser River resulting in water levels that are higher than normal. Abbotsford is likely to experience snowmelt floods because it is located in the heart of Fraser River Basin. An increase in temperatures caused by global warming will lead to melting of snow formed on the mountains in British Columbia, which trickle down the basin as floodwater. In 2007, residents of Abbotsford were warned by emergency planners of possible flooding owing to the melting of winter’s massive snowpack. In 1999, water levels in Fraser River reached flood stage and impacted communities and homes. The most recent catastrophic flood in the Lower Fraser River Basin occurred in 1948 leading to damage of thousands of homes, evacuation of thousands of people and additional economic damages.3 The above examples indicate that Abbotsford is perennially prone to flooding. The figure below shows the Fraser River that puts Abbotsford at risk of flooding and experiencing other natural disasters Figure 2: Fraser River Furthermore, Abbotsford community is exposed to volcanic hazards that include landslides, ash falls, and volcanic mudflows. Mount Baker, found in northern Washington State in the United States is the volcano that poses a risk to British Columbia’s Abbotsford community. The volcano poses a risk to Abbotsford community because it is found 100 kilometers away from British Columbia and it is an a large, active volcano. Although the volcano last erupted in 1843, venting of hot fluids and gasses happened in the 1970s indicating that the mountain remains active and dangerous. One of Mount Baker’s drainages enters Fraser River valley at Abbotsford. If the volcano erupts, Abbotsford community faces the threat of ash fall and mudflows. A major eruption has the potential to spread ash and gasses over Abbotsford. Volcanic hazards are bound to affect the Abbotsford community, and thus there is a necessity for the community to be prepared. The figure below shows a potential volcanic eruption that might occur at Mt. Baker, and hugely affect the Abbotsford Community Figure 3: Mount Baker Abbotsford community faces the threat of earthquakes. United States seismologists have discovered a shallow fault line called Boulder Creek Fault near Abbotsford. The seismologists have warned that the shallow fault line is active and could potentially cause earthquakes of about 6.8 magnitude. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake has the potential to rupture pipes, damage old buildings and crack bridges and roads. Also, the United States seismologists have warned that Boulder Creek fault could have massive impact British Columbia residents especially the Abbotsford community. The danger of earthquakes to the Abbotsford community is there, and the community should always be prepared. The image below shows the fault line at the Boulder Creek Fault. Figure 4: Boulder Creek 4. How Abbotsford Community Prepares for the Natural Hazards It is important that Abbotsford community be sufficiently prepared to counter the threats posed by the natural hazards. Earthquakes pose a threat to the safety of buildings, roads, bridges and water pipes and sewerage lines.4 Municipal agencies of Abbotsford city are ensuring that the community is prepared for earthquakes by monitoring construction activities and making sure that new buildings are built per the British Columbia seismic code. The municipal agencies are also upgrading older buildings to be able to withstand earthquakes. Also, community sensitization through seminars has been going on to ensure the earthquake readiness of Abbotsford community. The provincial government has prepared the community for floods by putting in place flood protection infrastructure. Also, the provincial government runs a program to manage potential flooding. Flood protection infrastructure in Abbotsford city includes dikes, food boxes, pump stations, relief wells, and riprap. An extensive network of dikes protects the Abbotsford community possible flooding of Fraser River. The municipal agencies inspect dikes and ensure their maintenance to ensure they remain functional at all times. Dikes are also raised to ensure that they are sufficiently high to counter floods (The image below shows one of the dykes constructed as a preparedness strategy). Additional flood protection projects include bank protection works and carrying out improvements to the seepage control systems of the dikes. The electrical and control systems for Barrowtown pump station were upgraded to ensure Abbotsford city is better prepared to deal with flooding emergencies. Flood protection projects are funded by municipal, provincial, and federal governments. Figure 5: Dyke at Abbotsford Community 5. Resources and Facilities Available in Abbotsford Community to Assist Citizens during Natural Disasters Whenever there is the possibility of natural disasters occurring, municipal authorities of Abbotsford city issue evacuation alerts. Flood evacuation alerts are issued to residents that live in areas that lack flood protection infrastructure. Abbotsford police visit residences to issue evacuation alerts whenever there is the danger of flooding. People who are issued with evacuation alerts are expected to make preparations to leave their residences within short notice. The city authorities also provide dike inventory maps that provide information on areas located in the floodplain that are at risk. The dike inventory maps are useful in emergency planning and preparedness. The maps also guide emergency response since they provide useful details about the at-risk areas. Management of the potential floodplain is made easy by the dike inventory maps since are the center of planning.5 Abbotsford city has developed an emergency program to counter natural hazards that may befall residents. The program includes the Emergency Planning Committee that meet regularly to discuss emergency measures the city should adopt to deal with hazards. The program also has an Emergency Operations Centre that coordinates all prevention activities and mitigation planning. Also, the Abbotsford emergency program operates the Abbotsford Emergency radio communications service that provide backup communication in the event of an emergency. Essentially, the Abbotsford Emergency program is instrumental in enabling residents to be prepared for natural hazards. 6. How to be Prepared for Natural Hazards The Abbotsford community is threatened by hazards that include floods, earthquakes and volcano hazards. People should possess information about impending hazards and should individually what to do to protect themselves, their families and property. Residents of Abbotsford city can prepare for earthquakes by ensuring that they choose their homes and business premises wisely by ensuring that the buildings are built in accordance with British Columbia seismic codes. Protecting buildings against earthquakes is crucial because they are residential spaces and are more prone to shaking and crumbling. Abbotsford city is more prone to flooding due to the formation of huge quantities of snow during wet winters and the possibility of the snow to melt in warm weather. Therefore, the residents are supposed to be aware of the possibility of flooding to occur. Residents can stay in the know by receiving latest weather updates via television or radio. Emergency instructions on flooding can also be accessed via radio or television. Flood warnings and evacuation alerts necessitate residents to move to higher grounds.6 Flash floods are dangerous, and residents should evacuate to higher ground immediately. Individuals and families should also restock emergency products such as first aid supplies, money, and flashlights. Abbotsford community faces the risk of ash falls from Mount Baker. Volcanic ash has the potential lung damages. Volcanic ash spreads over a huge geographical area, and it can affect people miles away from the cone of Mount Baker. In an event that Mount Baker erupts, residents of Abbotsford city should prepare portable kits that they can use to protect themselves from the harmful volcanic ash. The kit should contain breathing masks and goggles that each family member should be provided with to protect themselves. 7. Conclusion Abbotsford city is located in the Fraser River valley. The natural hazards that are likely to impact the Abbotsford community include flooding, earthquakes and volcano hazards. Municipal agencies and provincial government have worked overboard to make sure that the community is prepared to counter the potential natural hazards. During natural hazard events, the citizens are provided with flood evacuation alerts and dike inventory maps are used in emergency planning, preparedness, and response. The local government has developed the Abbotsford Emergency Program to enhance preparedness and response to natural hazards. Bibliography Canada.com. 'Seismologists Warn Shallow Fault Line Near Abbotsford Could Cause Major Damage'. http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=754de132-bf79-4858-84f0-35715ac35b61&k=14255, 2008. Clague, John J., and Peter T. Bobrowsky. International Year of Planet Earth 8. Natural Hazards in Canada. Geoscience Canada 37, no. 1, 2010. Fraser Basin Council. State of the Fraser Basin Report. Fraser Basin Council, 2003. Day, J. C. Planning for floods in the Lower Fraser Basin, British Columbia: Toward an integrated approach. Environments 27, no. 1: 49, 1999. Scott, Kevin M., C. Dan Miller, Bobbie Myers, Wes Hildreth, and Patrick T. Pringle. Potential volcanic hazards from future activity of Mount Baker, Washington. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, 1995. Read More