Thursday, June 11, 2026
    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

      Marissa Shen, 13, Found Dead In Burnaby Central Park

      Marissa Shen, 13, Found Dead In Burnaby Central Park
      Police say they are investigating a potential homicide after the body of a 13-year-old girl was found in a wooded area of a popular park in Burnaby, B.C.

      Marissa Shen, 13, Found Dead In Burnaby Central Park

      13-Year-Old Girl In Found Dead Burnaby's Central Park, Police Investigating

      13-Year-Old Girl In Found Dead Burnaby's Central Park, Police Investigating
      There is a large police presence in Central Park, which has been cordoned off with caution tape. 1

      13-Year-Old Girl In Found Dead Burnaby's Central Park, Police Investigating

      B.C.'s New Premier Hones In On Opioid, Softwood, Education In First Speech

      B.C.'s New Premier Hones In On Opioid, Softwood, Education In First Speech
      British Columbia's new premier says the wait is over as promises that he and his freshly appointed cabinet will hit the ground running on their first day in government.

      B.C.'s New Premier Hones In On Opioid, Softwood, Education In First Speech

      U.S.-Bound Travellers To Face 'Enhanced Security Measures' At All Canadian Airports

      U.S.-Bound Travellers To Face 'Enhanced Security Measures' At All Canadian Airports
      Flying to the United States may take a while longer as of today due to enhanced security measures affecting flights to the U.S.

      U.S.-Bound Travellers To Face 'Enhanced Security Measures' At All Canadian Airports

      Hateful Package Sent To Quebec City Mosque Two Days Before Muslim Cemetery Vote

      QUEBEC — A package expressing hate toward a Muslim cemetery project was delivered last week to the Quebec City mosque where six men were shot dead in January, police said Wednesday.

      Hateful Package Sent To Quebec City Mosque Two Days Before Muslim Cemetery Vote

      Australian Fire Crews Arrive To Support B.C. Wildfire Suppression Efforts

      Australian Fire Crews Arrive To Support B.C. Wildfire Suppression Efforts
      KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Fifty experts from Australia are expected to arrive today to help with the wildfire battle in British Columbia's central and southern Interior.

      Australian Fire Crews Arrive To Support B.C. Wildfire Suppression Efforts

      PrevNext