Water levels of certain rivers and creeks in British Columbia increase, the evacuation alerts have been extended
As warm weather and heavy rain continue to be in the forecast, numerous regions within British Columbia’s Interior remain under flood warning.
Consequently, several communities are on high alert for the rising water levels. The City of Grand Forks, located around 530 kilometers to the east of Vancouver, has included ten properties situated along the city’s waterfront to its evacuation alert list.
The Granby and Kettle rivers have fast-moving waters, which pose a significant hazard. The announcement asks residents to remain prepared to evacuate quickly, in addition to several evacuation alerts that have already been issued in and around Grand Forks, as well as Christina Lake and Midway in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. One property outside the Grand Forks city limits has a mandatory evacuation order in place since Friday evening due to an immediate danger of flooding.
Nearly 900 properties located in the village of Salmo and its neighboring communities of Erie and Ymir in the Regional District of Central Kootenay have been placed under an evacuation alert, along with several properties situated in Duhamel Creek.
Additionally, the Okanagan Indian Band has mandated the evacuation of a small number of homes along Whiteman’s Creek, where the fast-moving water is eroding the bank. In the same region, the levels of five other creeks are also increasing. As a result, hundreds of residents living in British Columbia’s southern and central Interior have been cautioned that they may have to evacuate hastily if the floodwaters surge in.
Approximately half of the province is now under flood warnings, watches, and advisories, with the Boundary and Thompson regions being the areas at the highest risk.
The record-breaking temperatures that persisted throughout the week caused snowpack to melt, resulting in heavy rain on Friday and Saturday. Consequently, rivers and creeks have swelled, and mudslides have occurred.
To support the affected communities, the province has delivered over 200,000 sandbags to locations, including Grand Forks and Cache Creek. Cache Creek has experienced significant flooding, with water entering residential homes and businesses.
The Ministry of Transportation is closely monitoring infrastructure that may require reinforcement and is supplying equipment and materials at key locations.
