Saturday, June 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

      Quebec Coroner Says Man Who Killed Forces Soldier In 2014 Wanted More Victims

      MONTREAL — A coroner says a Quebec man who killed a Canadian Forces warrant officer in 2014 wanted more victims.

      Quebec Coroner Says Man Who Killed Forces Soldier In 2014 Wanted More Victims

      Trudeau Says Current Pot Law Stands Until New Legislation Is Ratified

      MONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the current law governing marijuana stands until new legislation is ratified.

      Trudeau Says Current Pot Law Stands Until New Legislation Is Ratified

      Body Found In Southern Ontario Home Where Fire Killed Four Family Members

      Body Found In Southern Ontario Home Where Fire Killed Four Family Members
      PORT COLBORNE, Ont. — Emergency crews investigating a deadly house fire that killed a mother, her two children and her grandmother in southern Ontario have found a body in the charred rubble.

      Body Found In Southern Ontario Home Where Fire Killed Four Family Members

      As Home Prices Soar, Some First-time Buyers Reconsider Home Ownership Dreams

      As Home Prices Soar, Some First-time Buyers Reconsider Home Ownership Dreams
      The couple could have purchased a condo in the Toronto area, where they both work, but Morrison says they wanted more space to be able to engage in their hobbies and, eventually, start a family.

      As Home Prices Soar, Some First-time Buyers Reconsider Home Ownership Dreams

      B.C. Coroner Issues Overdose Death Alert

      At least six people died using drugs in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, while five other people died throughout the rest of the province.

      B.C. Coroner Issues Overdose Death Alert

      NDP MLA Mohinder Saran Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegation

      NDP MLA Mohinder Saran Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegation
      WINNIPEG — Manitoba New Democrats say a member of their caucus has been suspended from attending meetings following an allegation of verbal sexual harassment.

      NDP MLA Mohinder Saran Suspended After Sexual Harassment Allegation

      PrevNext