Heavy rain on Friday and higher temperatures during the week are causing parts of the interior and north of British Columbia to prepare for the worst as river levels and the risk of flooding increase.
Heavy rains are expected to continue over the weekend, and temperatures are expected to remain high.
Hundreds of properties in British Columbia are on the alert for evacuation, which means residents must be ready to leave at some point.
David Campbell, head of the Center for River Forecasting in British Columbia, says the extreme weather in 2021 has caused erosion and sediment accumulation on river banks, making them more vulnerable to floods now.
“This creates another substitute sign, just to understand what the effects of another high-flow event or flood could be,” he said.
About 18 homes in the villages of Coalmont and Tulamin, northwest of Princeton in the southern interior, where a flood nearly devastated the city last fall, are under evacuation alert.
“People living in these areas are used to floods,” said Eric Thompson, communications coordinator for the Okanagan-Similkamin regional district.
“But it can create anxiety. And the way to remove some of that anxiety is by being prepared and knowing what to do, but also watching local sources of information, including the regional area, to know what’s going on and be aware.” “
The risk of spring floods is higher than usual in pic.twitter.com/dIL4UjpvuZ
– @lanapopham
Sandbags ready
In northern British Columbia, Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc said her city has prepared 3,000 sandbags for each of the 33 properties under evacuation alert, and a sand collection machine is already working to continue. to make sandbags if the need arises.
“Make sure you have a game plan in place,” Leclerc told Jodie’s guest host Jody Martinson, urging residents to watch out for evacuation signals.
Other barriers are being set up to protect the sewer system, and Leclerc said volunteers were on call over the weekend.
The yellow areas are under high flow warning, and the orange areas are under flood monitoring since the afternoon of June 4th. (BC River Forecast Center)
Terrace has closed a popular park and boat, as well as a camping area and playground, which are also at risk.
About 200 miles east of Terrace by road, the Smithers community is also preparing for flooding.
“We expect a significant increase in rainfall, which is part of the challenge we will face over the weekend, and may continue until Monday,” Deputy Mayor Lorne Benson said Friday afternoon.
The River Forecasting Center has issued a flood monitoring report for the Bulkley River and surrounding tributaries in northern British Columbia. On Saturday afternoon, the center also issued a flood monitoring report for the Skina River.
“Skyna river levels are expected to continue to rise over the weekend and will rise further in response to additional rainfall,” the center said in a statement. “The main uncertainty is the exact location of the rainfall in the coming days, so there is a high degree of uncertainty as to whether the streams will reach the flood stage.”
Several rivers and streams are also being monitored by floods in the southern interior.
Flood monitoring means that river levels are rising and will approach or could exceed total flooding, and that areas near the river may also be flooded.
“The potential for property loss is always a major concern, but there is also a need for people to be aware of the risks associated with proximity to the river,” Benson said, noting that shores could destabilize and floodplains could spread rapidly.
“It’s a good idea for people to stay and wait for this event to pass.”
Campbell says he will monitor the conditions for the next two to four weeks, as he sees this as the “first time” for increased flood risk.
“Concern for us is obviously a great uncertainty.”
LISTEN | BC Interior, north is preparing before the expected rainfall
BC Today50: 55North etc. brackets to raise the water level; Brian Minter shares his gardening tips
The British Columbia River Forecasting Center has issued recommendations for high flow in much of northern British Columbia, prompting evacuation signals in a number of small communities. We will hear from the Mayor of Terrace and the Deputy Mayor of Smithers about how their communities are preparing. And in our second half, Brian Minter from Minter Country Garden shared his tips and tricks for gardening.
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