Hundreds of homes ordered evacuated in Kootenays due to flooding, rising rivers

By Renee Bernard

Posted May 31, 2020 9:18 pm.

Last Updated May 31, 2020 9:21 pm.

NELSON (NEWS 1130) — Evacuation orders have been issued for homes and villages in the Kootenays Sunday due to flooding caused by heavy rain combined with melting snow.

Hundreds of people in parts of the Regional District of Central Kootenay which is north of Nelson, and northwest of Castlegar have been told to flee their homes, because of rising waters.

Residents forced out of their homes are being instructed to go to the Best Western Hotel in Nelson and the Sandman Inn in Castlegar.

The Kettle River near Grand Forks is expected to peak Monday so properties there have have been evacuated.

Flood protection measures have been installed in and around Grand Forks.

A storm with heavy rainfall was expected this weekend, prompting the regional district to issue what it calls the unprecedented warning.

The district issued an evacuation alert for all of its communities except for the cities of Castlegar and Nelson late Saturday evening.

A spokesman for the regional district called it an “unprecedented” alert, prompted by concerns about a storm and the melting snowpack.

“This alert is specific to properties adjacent to rivers, creeks or streams. This is an unprecedented alert due to an extreme storm cell developing over the next 12 hours and following significant spring meltwater,” a statement reads.

“We are issuing this evacuation alert as a precaution due to the significant amount of uncertainly pertaining to rainfall amounts and the potential for extreme isolated storm events,” said Chris Johnson, Emergency Operations Centre Director. “We are advising everyone that lives near a river, creek or stream to be prepared to evacuate if required on short notice. This situation can change quickly.”

It followed that with evacuation orders for the small community of Crawford Bay, ordering more than 40 properties to be cleared.

Much of southern B.C.’s Okanagan and Kootenay regions are under flood watches, with residents advised to be ready to leave their homes.

British Columbia’s central Interior has already been the subject of several flood warnings this season.

With files from The Canadian Press

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