Flood season arrives in B.C., some communities forced to evacuate
Posted June 6, 2022 7:05 am.
Last Updated June 6, 2022 7:21 am.
Residents in a northern B.C. community have been forced to leave their homes and several others have been told to be ready to leave due to a worsening flood situation.
The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine issued an emergency evacuation order on Sunday for Old Remo, New Remo, and Usk. The communities are near Terrace and are being threatened by a rising Skeena River.
Heavy rain and snowmelt over the weekend also placed several other areas under a flood alert, and increased the severity of the flood forecast for the much of the province.
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As of Monday morning, six areas were under an evacuation alert and three others were placed under a less-severe watch. Most of the areas of concern are in northern B.C..
A high streamflow advisory is in place by the River Forecast Centre for the Okanagan area, after it was downgraded over the weekend from a watch. There is no flood warning in place for any part of the province at the moment.
The Lower Fraser River is expected to continue rising in the coming day but was not listed under a watch as of Monday. It is predicted to hit 4.95 metres at the Mission Gauge on Sunday.
Residents in northern B.C. along the Skeena River have been told to be prepared in case the river rises further. As of Monday, there is only one evacuation order in place. (BC River Forecast Centre)
On Friday, Dave Campbell with the BC River Forecast Centre said this year’s flood season could be a challenge as a result of already-weakened river banks in some spots.
Residents are urged to stay away from rising waterways and to ensure they have a “go bag” ready if their area is in a low-lying flood plain.
Flood Watch DOWNGRADED to High Streamflow Advisory for East #Okanagan including Mission Creek, tributaries east of #VernonBC, #Kelowna, #Penticton & surrounding areas, West Kettle River, Spius Creek & Lower Nicola River. More info: https://t.co/QZDg9SR7kI #BCFlood
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) June 5, 2022
While the wet weather has kept many from enjoying some spring activities in recent weeks, the BC Wildfire Service said the seasonal outlook shows that has brought down the risk for fires.
However, the forecast for July and August “indicates a shift to above-seasonal temperatures,” according to Matt MacDonald, lead forecaster with the BC Wildfire Service.
With files from Martin MacMahon and Denise Wong.
