A risk assessment of natural hazards in the city of Nanaimo

Abstract

Natural processes often provide beneficial services to the environment (e.g. floodplain vegetation requires floodwater-transported nutrients in order to flourish). However, these processes may become natural hazards when humans are seriously impacted and/or harmed by the event. In catastrophic instances, the damages may be so severe that the recovery process is extremely long, involved, and costly. In order to better avoid or minimize potential future impacts, it is crucial that residents be informed about hazard vulnerability within the RDN, the warning signs and risks associated with each hazard, and the availability of resources for hazard preparation and response. It is paramount that this information be accessible by all age groups, thus this content is supplemented by an interactive board game to promote natural hazard awareness.