People in Smithers and Burns Lake on flood watch
Posted May 18, 2011 3:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Some people in Smithers and Burns Lake are on flood watch because of high water levels in the Bulkley River. Flooding in the area is expected by late tonight or early tomorrow.
People affected were told to have 72 hours worth of supplies ready in case they need to leave at a moments notice.
David Campbell with the River Forecast Centre is expecting all that water to filter into the bigger BC rivers soon. “We’re still probably a week or two away from starting to see significant flows in the bigger rivers.”
He says snow is still accumulating around the province, and we are now at the mercy of the weather in terms of how that snows melts. “The conditions that would be adverse for potential flood risk would be prolonged, well above normal temperatures, and/or heavy precipitation that would move across the province.”
Meanwhile, People in the Cariboo and the Okanagan have also been dealing with flooding concern.
Parts of the small town of Houston three hours west of Prince George are under evacuation orders.
Those who live in two areas in the town of about 3,200 have been told to shut off all their gas, water and electrical connections and to immediately leave because of flooding.
A notice issued by the District of Houston for the East Valley, Alix Frontage and Viewmont Court areas have been told their lives will be in danger if they stay.
It’s not clear how many people have been evacuated.
Emergency workers are now holding meetings to decide what needs to be done next.
