Saturday, June 13, 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

      Bullet Holes, Blood Smears Shown At Murder Trial In Kelowna, B.C.

      Bullet Holes, Blood Smears Shown At Murder Trial In Kelowna, B.C.
      Former RCMP forensic officer Cora Malewski testified in B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday, saying there were holes all around the Porsche Cayenne when she shot the video.

      Bullet Holes, Blood Smears Shown At Murder Trial In Kelowna, B.C.

      Three Greens Make History At B.C. Legislature Swearing-in Ceremony

      Three Greens Make History At B.C. Legislature Swearing-in Ceremony
      Sonia Furstenau, Adam Olsen and party leader Andrew Weaver each capturing a seat on Vancouver Island in last month's election. 

      Three Greens Make History At B.C. Legislature Swearing-in Ceremony

      B.C. Legislature Returns June 22, Stage Set For Confidence Vote On Liberals

      B.C. Legislature Returns June 22, Stage Set For Confidence Vote On Liberals
      Premier Christy Clark has said she expects to lose a confidence vote in the house after the New Democrats and Greens reached an agreement to allow the NDP to form a minority government. 

      B.C. Legislature Returns June 22, Stage Set For Confidence Vote On Liberals

      Trial Begins For Former RCMP Official Accused Of Sexual Assault

      Trial Begins For Former RCMP Official Accused Of Sexual Assault
      Michelle Booker told the judge hearing the case without a jury that former inspector Tim Shields also sexually harassed the woman at E Division headquarters in Vancouver.

      Trial Begins For Former RCMP Official Accused Of Sexual Assault

      Charges Expected Against Two Men Accused In Countless Heists From B.C. Mailboxes

      VICTORIA — Two men have been arrested on Vancouver Island in connection with break-ins and thefts from mailboxes in several areas of British Columbia.

      Charges Expected Against Two Men Accused In Countless Heists From B.C. Mailboxes

      Christy Clark Sworn In A B.C. Premier Of First Minority Government In 65 Years

      Christy Clark Sworn In A B.C. Premier Of First Minority Government In 65 Years
      Legislature clerk Craig James told members of the Liberal caucus that journalists reported on an air of mystery and excitement at the legislature in 1952 and the same can be said about today.

      Christy Clark Sworn In A B.C. Premier Of First Minority Government In 65 Years

      PrevNext