Friday, March 27, 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

      Rare Cholera Outbreak On Vancouver Island: 'We Have Not Seen This Before'

      Rare Cholera Outbreak On Vancouver Island: 'We Have Not Seen This Before'
      VANCOUVER — As many as four people have been infected with cholera in British Columbia, in what health officials are calling an extremely rare case.

      Rare Cholera Outbreak On Vancouver Island: 'We Have Not Seen This Before'

      Canadian Customs Facilities In The U.S.? Americans Say It Could Happen Soon

      Canadian Customs Facilities In The U.S.? Americans Say It Could Happen Soon
      A U.S. official says he hopes to see movement soon on the so-called customs preclearance sites.  

      Canadian Customs Facilities In The U.S.? Americans Say It Could Happen Soon

      Justin Trudeau To Issue 'Statement Of Exoneration' For Tsilhqot'in Chiefs

      OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to exonerate six First Nations chiefs who were executed by British Columbia's colonial government more than 150 years ago.

      Justin Trudeau To Issue 'Statement Of Exoneration' For Tsilhqot'in Chiefs

      Air Canada Flight From Toronto Makes Emergency Landing In Washington

      WASHINGTON — An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Washington was forced to make an emergency landing Sunday evening after smoke was discovered in the cockpit.

      Air Canada Flight From Toronto Makes Emergency Landing In Washington

      Man Dies After He Is Hit By A Vehicle In Nanaimo, B.C., On Sunday

      Man Dies After He Is Hit By A Vehicle In Nanaimo, B.C., On Sunday
      A man has died in hospital after he was hit by a vehicle in Nanaimo early on Sunday morning.

      Man Dies After He Is Hit By A Vehicle In Nanaimo, B.C., On Sunday

      Mississauga Attack: Surrey Man Ronjot Singh Dhami Surrenders To Police

      A Lawyer For Ronjot Singh Dhami, 25, Has Said He Did Not Participate In The Three-man Attack At A Bus Station In Mississauga.  Third Man Involved In The Assault At A Mississauga Bus Station Remains Unidentified

      Mississauga Attack: Surrey Man Ronjot Singh Dhami Surrenders To Police

      PrevNext