What help is available if I’ve gone through an extreme weather event or other natural disaster?

If a wildfire, flood, or other extreme weather event in BC has affected your life, you may need financial assistance or encounter legal problems related to having gone through a natural disaster. Below are trusted sources of information that can help you during this challenging time.

Helpful resources

• EmergencyInfoBC (Government of British Columbia): This is a portal for verified event information during emergencies, including evacuation orders and recommended actions.
• PreparedBC (Government of British Columbia): Find information about emergency evacuation and recovery, including support services during an emergency and financial assistance after a disaster.
• Legal FAQ sheets (Access Pro Bono): Find fact sheets related to issues faced by people affected by weather emergencies in BC, including wildfires. The fact sheets were released in 2021 but are still relevant. They are organized by these different areas of law:
  • Employment law
  • Family law
  • Insurance law
  • Landlord-tenant law
  • Strata (condo) law
• Help for Individuals Affected by Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters (Government of Canada): Information for employees (including temporary foreign workers and their employers), seniors, and students about financial benefits and options.
• Help for Evacuees (BC Hydro): If you’ve gone through an evacuation order, you can apply for account credits through BC Hydro or set up payment plans. This page also contains information about your electricity when you return home after your evacuation ends.

Helpful services

• Legal Aid BC: Experiencing an extreme weather event may affect parenting arrangements, your ability to pay child or spousal support, or where you live with the child. This province-wide service provides legal advice for family law issues.
• Summary Advice Program (Access Pro Bono): This service offers free legal advice to low- and modest-income individuals by telephone or videoconference. Book an appointment with a volunteer lawyer by filling out the online form or calling the client line.
• Indigenous Justice Centres (BC First Nations Justice Council): They provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support, and representation for Indigenous people.
• Lawyer Referral Service (Access Pro Bono): This service offers a free, brief initial consultation with a lawyer to determine your legal needs. If you would like further help from your lawyer, you can retain them at a rate you both agree to.