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

Conservatives Plot Political Assault On Harjit Sajjan With Symbolic Confidence Motion

Conservative defence critic James Bezan says he will table a non-binding motion in the House of Commons expressing a loss of confidence in Sajjan, and which MPs will have a chance to vote on.

Conservatives Plot Political Assault On Harjit Sajjan With Symbolic Confidence Motion

Advance Turnout Spikes 70 Per Cent In B.C. Election As Voters Flock To Polls

VANCOUVER — Elections B.C. says the number of people who turned out to vote ahead of election day this year is 70 per cent higher than last time.

Advance Turnout Spikes 70 Per Cent In B.C. Election As Voters Flock To Polls

Search Crews Recover Human Remains Off B.C. Highway Where Man Disappeared

DEASE LAKE, B.C. — Human remains have been discovered off a British Columbia highway near where a 70-year-old Alaska man went missing last year.

Search Crews Recover Human Remains Off B.C. Highway Where Man Disappeared

Ten Things To Know About The British Columbia Election

VANCOUVER — Voters in British Columbia go to the polls on Tuesday. Here are 10 things to know about B.C. politics:

Ten Things To Know About The British Columbia Election

Tight B.C. Election Puts Vote Splitting On Agenda In Campaign's Final Days

NANAIMO, B.C. — British Columbia's political party leaders have been frantically crisscrossing the province, making their final appeals to voters who might still be swayed before casting their ballots Tuesday.

Tight B.C. Election Puts Vote Splitting On Agenda In Campaign's Final Days

28-Yr-Old Rohtak Woman Gets 7-year Jail For False Gangrape Complaint

The woman, Meenakshi, 28, had in June 2010 filed a complaint alleging she was gangraped by a Rohtak resident and his two brother-in-laws after they gave her lift in their car.