Farmers and ranchers are being reminded to take time now to prepare for any potential flooding.

 

Properties along creek banks in some areas are starting to deal with increased water flows, which can be extremely unpredictable, and it's important that producers look at moving equipment, livestock and feed away from low-lying areas.

 

Provincial Disease Surveillance Veterinarian Dr. Leanne Forsythe says it's important to move livestock to higher ground and deny access to flood-prone pastures, barns or other shelters, as livestock can drown because they refuse to leave flooded shelters, so it's important to move livestock before the flooding starts. She says farmers should make sure they have options available for feeding and watering animals, adding that it's helpful to ensure there's a food supply source and can move it before any water appears.

 

Forsythe adds it's also important to move any hazardous materials could contaminate soil or water supplies, and as a safety precaution, make sure any electricity to barns or buildings in flood-prone areas is turned off.