Skip to main content

Natural Hazard

Changing Climate. Changing risks

Cowichan is an amazing place to live. However, our region has natural hazards such as flooding, landslides, wildfires and earthquakes. Many of the natural hazards we face link to climate change. They will happen with greater frequency in the future. Cowichan’s climate in the next few decades will be very different from the past. Climate projections predict hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters with little to no snowpack.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is developing a Natural Hazards Disaster and Risk Reduction Strategy. Our goal is to help people, businesses and communities in our region adapt and thrive in the long term. We believe it is important that everyone
learns more about risk and prepares for natural hazards and extreme weather.

The CVRD is currently undertaking a review of the region’s floodplains, coastal zones and other areas of high vulnerability. This work, and the recently completed climate projections for the region, are being used to assess the current level of vulnerability to a range of hazards, as well as to identify ways we can plan ahead to mitigate risk. See Natural Hazard Risk Assessment Study Areas webpage for more information.

The CVRD has also recently completed a risk assessment of all its infrastructure, including public facilities, dams and other utilities, in order to ensure that we are prepared and able to continue to provide the necessary levels of service to residents during disasters.

Background Information

Be prepared. Understand and manage the risks.

Being aware of potential hazards and being prepared will help reduce the risks to you and your family. Managing risk means understanding the hazard and taking steps to reduce the consequences. Learn about some of the potential hazards around your home and across the region.

Is there a risk in my area?

View the natural hazard risk- assessment map and reports.

Risk Tolerance Policy and Assurance Process

The CVRD has a Natural Hazard Risk Tolerance Policy to guide land use and development decisions in areas where hazards may present a risk the life and safety of residents. In areas subject to hazards such as landslides, you may be required to hire an engineer or geoscientist to prepare a geohazard risk assessment for your property prior to any development.

The CVRD and Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) have partnered to establish a natural hazard assessment review and assurance process. While the CVRD Assurance Statement Form is comprehensive, it is intended to supplement, not replace, a natural hazard assessment report. The CVRD Hazard Acceptability Thresholds and CVRD Hazard Assurance Guide provide guidelines to support completion of the Assurance Statement.

Are you Prepared? Have a Plan. Make a Kit.

Land Acknowledgement
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.