Similkameen Valley Flooding: Why Action Can’t Wait
Flooding in the Similkameen Valley is not a new issue, but in recent years, it has become more frequent, more severe, and more unpredictable.
Communities like Princeton, Keremeos, and surrounding areas know this all too well.
In Question Period, I raised the urgent need for real, long-term flood mitigation solutions for our region.
🎥 Watch the video below:
A Region That Has Already Paid the Price
In November 2021, an atmospheric river event brought record rainfall to British Columbia, triggering one of the most devastating natural disasters in our province’s history.
In the Similkameen Valley, both the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers overflowed their banks, flooding the Town of Princeton and surrounding communities.
Nearly half of Princeton was submerged
Homes were evacuated and critical infrastructure was damaged
Entire communities were left without heat, water, and road access
Water levels during that event exceeded previous major floods, including the 1995 flood, by a significant margin.
This was not a one-time event. It was a warning.
Flooding Is Becoming the New Normal
Since 2021, the region has continued to face repeated threats.
What was once considered a rare event is now happening far more often.
For residents, this means living in a constant state of uncertainty, watching river levels rise and wondering if the next evacuation order is coming.
The Human Impact
This issue goes far beyond infrastructure.
It is about:
Families wondering if their homes will flood again
Farmers facing repeated losses and uncertainty
Seniors and vulnerable residents being displaced
Entire communities living with ongoing stress and anxiety
I have heard directly from residents who say that constantly monitoring forecasts and river levels is taking a real emotional toll.
People deserve to feel safe in their own homes.
Why Flood Mitigation Must Be Regional
Flood mitigation cannot be approached one community at a time.
I am calling for a consolidated watershed strategy that brings together all levels of government, including municipal, provincial, federal, and First Nations partners.
Because the reality is simple:
"We all know that rivers, lake and tributaries have no municipal boundaries"
Water does not stop at jurisdictional lines, and neither can our planning.
A coordinated, watershed-wide approach would ensure:
Better upstream and downstream planning
Shared data and forecasting
More effective infrastructure investment
Stronger emergency response coordination
Without this kind of collaboration, communities are left reacting instead of preparing.
Why Flood Mitigation Matters
Flood mitigation is not just about reacting to disasters. It is about preventing them.
Investments in:
Diking and riverbank reinforcement
Improved drainage and water management systems
Long-term infrastructure planning
Emergency preparedness and response coordination
…can make the difference between manageable high water and devastating loss.
The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of preparation.
Flooding in 2021 did not just impact homes. It disrupted highways, supply chains, and local economies across the region and beyond.
This is not only a local issue. It is a regional and provincial priority.
Holding Government Accountable
In the Legislature, I asked what concrete steps are being taken to deliver real flood mitigation for the Similkameen Valley.
Residents deserve more than temporary solutions. They deserve a long-term plan that reflects the reality on the ground and includes coordination across all jurisdictions.
Despite the scale of past disasters, communities in the Similkameen Valley have faced challenges securing the funding needed for meaningful mitigation projects.
That must change.
Looking Ahead
The Similkameen Valley is a strong and resilient region. But resilience should not mean facing the same disaster over and over again.
We need:
A coordinated watershed strategy
Clear timelines for mitigation projects
Meaningful investment from all levels of government
A long-term plan that protects communities before disaster strikes
I will continue to advocate for the resources, planning, and collaboration needed to protect the people who call this region home.
Because no one should have to live year after year wondering if the next flood will take everything.
If you have experienced flooding in your community or would like to share your perspective, I encourage you to reach out to my office. Your voice matters, and it strengthens the call for action.