A new low-pressure system is expected to lead to potentially long periods of torrential rain in parts of the province this week, according to the BC River Forecasting Center, which has improved flood risk signals for the Thompson and Upper Colombia regions.
The center says a flood guard has been issued for the Thompson River, from Kamloops to the Spence Bridge, as continued melting snow and runoff made river levels “very high” at this time of year.
High flow recommendation also issued for the Upper Colombia region, including the Kicking Horse River, the Illecillewaet River and the river flowing around Invermere, Radium, Golden and Revelstoke.
The low-pressure system is expected to pass through Wednesday to early Thursday, with rainfall of up to 40 millimeters in North and South Thompson, the Caribou Mountains and the Upper Colombian watershed.
With torrential rain, river levels could reach record highs for the season, which could lead to flooding, according to the center. Warm temperatures next week could cause the snow to melt quickly, which could also contribute to flooding.
Last week, Dave Campbell, head of the Center for River Forecasting, said the delay in melting the snow cover this year means a greater risk of flooding will continue in July.
Meanwhile, Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan noted that the forecast for July shows much hotter conditions in British Columbia, which could increase the risk of floods.
The Emergency Center is activated
City of Kamloops activates its emergency center (EOC) on Monday as a “precautionary measure that allows the city to react quickly if the situation worsens and allows access to additional resources if necessary”.
Meanwhile, the city of Kelowna remains under local emergency entered into force last Tuesday after Mission Creek overflowed its shores, flooding roads, yards and basements.
In the Elk Valley, Sparwood County extend your Local state of emergency until June 27. Last week, he partially canceled the evacuation signal for residents of the lower Lodgepole mobile home park, while the Mountainview mobile home park alert remained in effect.
Other floods, evacuation signals
Surveillance of the Liard River and its tributaries between Fort Nelson and Lake Watson in northeastern BC, the northern and southern regions of Thompson, the Shushuap region and sections of the Queensnel River east of Lake Williams remains in effect.
Despite the general easing of conditions, EmergencyInfoBC says evacuation signals continue for areas west of Tulamin and Harrison Mills west of Hope.
Localized flood signal also issued from the village of Lumbi in North Okanagan.
The flood warning is the most serious in a three-tier warning system used by the forecast center and means that a flood is expected. On the other hand, flood monitoring means that river levels are rising and flooding may occur. The High Flow Notification is the lowest of the three levels issued by the River Forecast Center.
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