Government launches new online coastal flood maps to help Islanders adapt to climate change
During today’s sitting of the PEI Legislature, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Steven Myers announced the launch of a new online mapping tool to help businesses, not for profits, government and all Islanders identify their vulnerability to coastal flooding and take appropriate actions to prepare.
Using data that was acquired by the province through the National Disaster Mitigation Program, the updated coastal flood maps will help government, municipalities, and the public make sound planning decisions for the future. The flood maps depict PEI’s coastal floodplains for 2020, 2050, and 2100. The maps also inform Coastal Hazard Assessments available for coastal properties, as well as a new series of Watershed Flood Projections Reports for developers and design professionals.
The province recently released a Climate Change Risk Assessment highlighting climate risks for Prince Edward Island. This assessment showed coastal erosion and flooding as high-risk hazards.
“We need everyone to feel a sense of urgency when it comes to climate change. These new maps help Islanders make decisions based on accurate information.”
- Environment, Energy and Climate Action Minister Steven Myers
Climate change impacts all Islanders and the province continues to work across departments as well as with other important partners to take action. Together with the Province and the UPEI Centre for Climate Change & Adaptation, the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation has developed a free online course, Protecting PEI Homes from Flooding and Erosion. It is available to all Islanders who are interested.
The course highlights PEI’s leading-edge climate-resilience focused tools and services, including its Flood Hazard Maps and Coastal Hazard Assessments. It also features nationally applicable risk assessment tools, flood insurance fact sheets and how-to videos.
“The Intact Centre is pleased to collaborate with the University of PEI and the Province to launch a free, online course that empowers professionals, community leaders and civil servants to help islanders identify their unique lot-level risks and prioritize practical actions to make their homes and properties climate ready.”
- Cheryl Evans, Director Flood and Wildfire Resilience, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo
“Availability of up-to-date coastal hazard information is a key component of helping Islanders to make more informed decisions. These maps, along with the new course offered through ClimateSense's Professional Development Program, will help us to adapt to climate change impacts going forward.”
- Ross Dwyer, Manager of Research Partnerships, Canadian Centre for Climate Change & Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island
Media contact:
Jill Edwards
Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
jedwards@gov.pe.ca
Cheryl Evans
Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
University of Waterloo
c8evans@uwaterloo.ca