CHETWYND, B.C. — Heavy rainfall has forced a town in northeastern B.C. to declare a state of local emergency and has shut down a key highway in the region.
Chetwynd, B.C., mayor Merlin Nichols says residents need to take measures to make sure their families, structures and livestock are all safe as rain continues to pour in the area.
Environment Canada says the rain began Wednesday morning and 79 millimetres had drenched the town by noon, with another 20 to 40 millimetres expected by Thursday night.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a flood watch for northeastern B.C. Wednesday afternoon, saying water levels in streams could increase rapidly because of the storm.
Because of the rain, Highway 97 has been closed in both directions where it meets Highway 29 just south of Chetwynd.
Nichols says sandbags are available at Chetwynd's public works yard and anyone who is imminent danger is advised to call 911 for help.
Chetwynd, about 300 kilometres northeast of Prince George, is home to about 3,000 people.
