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.

British Columbians give help when it's needed, and it's needed now. @RedCrossBC needs more donations to better help people on the ground who have been affected by #BCFlood.

We're matching donations, so you'll have double the impact if you donate now: https://t.co/vdYVBCfrvr
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) May 22, 2018

This business owner in downtown #GrandForks doesn’t mince words describing the support offered during #BCFloods2018. I’ve met some incredibly generous and committed people during my visit to flood impacted communities this weekend. #2018freshet #bcpoli @BC1 @CBCNews pic.twitter.com/WAbc4J4i5s
— Jennifer Rice (@JenniferRice6) May 21, 2018

"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.

A huge thank you to everyone spending their long weekend laying sandbags, working at emergency response centres, and helping people in need. Your time, energy, and selflessness are greatly appreciated. #BCflood
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) May 19, 2018

Looking to help those affected by the #BCFlood? We'll be matching funds for donations to the @RedCrossBC between May 16 and July 31.

For more information: https://t.co/0ApgL2TNi5 pic.twitter.com/yPou4z00gl
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) May 19, 2018

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

Sped Through Construction Zone: Truck Driver Gets 3 Years For Killing 3 Teens

MELFORT, Sask. — A truck driver who killed three Saskatchewan teenagers when his speeding semi rear-ended their car in a construction zone has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Sped Through Construction Zone: Truck Driver Gets 3 Years For Killing 3 Teens

Winnipeg Man Pleads Not Guilty To Letter-Bomb Charges, Fights DNA Evidence

WINNIPEG — A man accused of sending letter bombs in the mail, including one that cost his ex-wife's lawyer her hand, pleaded not guilty Monday to five counts of attempted murder and to several explosives-related charges.

Winnipeg Man Pleads Not Guilty To Letter-Bomb Charges, Fights DNA Evidence

Four-Year Sentence For Man Found Guilty Of Smuggling Tamil Migrants To Canada

VANCOUVER — A Sri Lankan man found guilty of smuggling Tamil migrants to Canada has walked free after receiving a four-year prison sentence.

Four-Year Sentence For Man Found Guilty Of Smuggling Tamil Migrants To Canada

WATCH: Stretch Limousine Crashes Into Home In Surrey

Police say the damage from the crash has made the house uninhabitable.

WATCH: Stretch Limousine Crashes Into Home In Surrey

Suspect Charged With Manslaughter In Fatal Surrey House Fire

The death of a man in a Thursday morning fire in Surrey is suspicious and homicide detectives have now taken over the case, Surrey RCMP said.

Suspect Charged With Manslaughter In Fatal Surrey House Fire

No Plans For Drug Legalization Despite Overdose Crisis: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he's aware of B.C.'s struggles dealing with the rising tide of opioid deaths, but there are no plans to legalize illicit substances like heroin as part of the response.