Emergency Events

If there is an emergency event such as a wildfire, flood, earthquake or landslide in Ladysmith, please visit emcowichan.ca for official updates.

Emergency Management Cowichan is the primary and official source for emergency information and updates.

While the Town of Ladysmith is not the lead source for emergency communications, we will share updates and information from EM Cowichan when necessary.

Be Prepared

Life in Ladysmith may feel safe and calm today, but a disaster can strike at any moment. Whether it’s a sudden wildfire, a devastating flood, or a powerful landslide, your home, your family, your pets, and everything you care about could be at risk in an instant.

That's why it's so important for you and your family to have an emergency plan and enough supplies to get through at least 72 hours of an event. This is because emergency responders may not be able to reach you right away.

Need a starting point? Ladysmith Fire/Rescue recommends every household take these simple steps to prepare for an emergency:

  • Pack your emergency kit with essentials you’ll need to survive for a few days.
  • Make a checklist of items to take and tasks to do if you had to leave quickly, and go over your evacuation plan with your family. Add details as they come up.
  • Create an evacuation plan and go over it with your family.
  • Register for Alertable, the free emergency notification service for the Town of Ladysmith.
  • Take photos of your home, yard, and belongings for insurance purposes.
  • Park your vehicle for a quick exit, if you’re able to. If you have a trailer or camper, load it now—it could become your temporary home.

For comprehensive emergency planning resources, evacuation guidance, and more information, please visit Emergency Management Cowichan.

Emergency Management Cowichan

Established in 2023, Emergency Management Cowichan (EM Cowichan or EMC) is the lead agency for coordinating emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in the Town of Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

Should a wildfire or flood occur in the Ladysmith area, EM Cowichan is the PRIMARY and OFFICIAL source for all emergency information and updates.

The Town of Ladysmith is NOT the main source of emergency communications but will help share updates and information from EM Cowichan when appropriate.

This centralized approach helps reduce confusion and misinformation and ensures clear, consistent communication from one trusted source throughout all phases of an emergency event.

Visit Emergency Management Cowichan to learn more.

Alertable (Cowichan Alert) Emergency Notification System

Alertable is the FREE emergency notification service for the Town of Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley Regional District. 

Sign up to receive real-time alerts about major emergencies or disasters in Ladysmith, the Cowichan Valley, and surrounding areas that may affect you. You can also choose to receive non-emergency updates about local government services.

You can download the Alertable app for iOS and Android, activate it on Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, receive browser and desktop alerts at Alertable.ca, or integrate it with Slack and Microsoft Teams for real-time notifications.