Wednesday, December 17, 2025
    ADVT 
    National

    Rain, Melting Snow Pose Flooding Concerns Across B.C. As Evacuations Lift

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 May, 2018 11:30 AM
      Many people forced from their homes by flooding in southern British Columbia have been allowed to return, but officials say there are still areas of concern in many parts of the province.
       
       
      Evacuation orders for about 171 addresses in Grand Forks were lifted Tuesday, with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary saying the threat of flooding had decreased.
       
       
      Residents of more than 500 properties across the province remained out of their home, and another 6,500 were on evacuation alert, warned that they may need to leave at a moment's notice.
       
       
      The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said drones were used to re-evaluate its evacuation alerts and orders. Residents would be allowed to return to their homes "as soon as the situation is appropriate," the regional district said.
       
       
      Farmers and ranchers have been hit hard by the rising waters, said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. Cows were removed from two dairy farms on an island in the Fraser River near Surrey, she said.  
       
       
      "The flooding is taking a toll on farming and ranching families again," Popham said, adding many agriculture operations were also affected by last summer's historic wildfire season.
       
       
      Temperatures have been unseasonably high across much of the province in recent weeks, melting snow faster than waterways can cope with it, said David Campbell of the River Forecast Centre.
       
       
      "We, not surprisingly, have seen ongoing, dramatic, rapid snowmelt across the province over the last few weeks," he said.
       
       
      Enough snow has melted to reduce the risk for many areas that have seen significant flooding, Campbell said, but large melting snowpacks could still overwhelm the Thompson and Fraser rivers, and waterways in the Kootenay region.
       
       
      Severe rainfall is also a concern, he added, because June is known to bring wet weather across the province.
       
       
      "It's difficult, really, to kind of stand down from the seasonal risk until we're well past those weather risks," he said.
       
       
      Chris Duffy of Emergency Management BC said there are still about 300 Canadian Forces personnel and about 380 wildfire crews helping with the flood response.
      Prev Next

      MORE National ARTICLES

      Quebec Student, 9, Barred From Bus After Alleged Sexual Bullying

      MONTREAL — A nine-year-old Quebec boy has been barred from taking a school bus after an alleged sexual bullying incident this week involving two kindergarten students.

      Quebec Student, 9, Barred From Bus After Alleged Sexual Bullying

      Justin Trudeau Urged To Press G7 Leaders For $1.3 Billion For Girls Education

      Justin Trudeau Urged To Press G7 Leaders For $1.3 Billion For Girls Education
      OTTAWA — A coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations has asked Justin Trudeau to persuade his fellow G7 leaders to commit $1.3 billion over three years to help send millions of the world's poorest girls to school.

      Justin Trudeau Urged To Press G7 Leaders For $1.3 Billion For Girls Education

      Provinces Need More Info About Marijuana Impairment Testing Technology: B.C.

      British Columbia may have unveiled its plan for regulating recreational marijuana, but the enforcement and testing for drug-impaired driving remains hazy.

      Provinces Need More Info About Marijuana Impairment Testing Technology: B.C.

      Never Say Never: Borrowed Beaver Returns To B.C. Regional District

      Never Say Never: Borrowed Beaver Returns To B.C. Regional District
      Justin Beaver is home again, and the tale of the stolen taxidermied teaching tool has even worked to the benefit of educators in British Columbia.

      Never Say Never: Borrowed Beaver Returns To B.C. Regional District

      Edmonton Woman Says Airline Humiliated Her Because Of Non-Contagious Rash

      Edmonton Woman Says Airline Humiliated Her Because Of Non-Contagious Rash
      HALIFAX — An Edmonton woman says she was publicly humiliated and booted off an Air Canada flight after a rash was mistakenly labelled as contagious.

      Edmonton Woman Says Airline Humiliated Her Because Of Non-Contagious Rash

      Donald Trump Threatens Countries Who Don't Back Us World Cup Bid

      U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold support from nations who don't back the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup.

      Donald Trump Threatens Countries Who Don't Back Us World Cup Bid

      PrevNext