B.C.'s River Forecast Centre has issued multiple flood warnings and advisories for much of the province's Southern Interior, as warm weather accelerates snowmelt and raises river levels.
Flood Warnings and Watches
In an update on Saturday, the centre reported that the Upper Columbia, Lardeau, and Kootenay rivers are under flood warnings. Flood watches are in effect for the North Thompson, West Kootenay, and East Kootenay regions. A high streamflow advisory covers the Upper Fraser, South Thompson, and Boundary areas.
Evacuation Alerts
The Central Kootenay Regional District has issued evacuation alerts for 165 properties north of Nelson, along the Lardeau and Duncan rivers and Duhamel Creek, due to possible flooding. Six properties on Anderson Road in Golden are also under evacuation alert because of rapidly rising water on the Columbia River. Residents are advised to prepare grab-and-go bags.
Weather and Safety
Weather models predict rainfall totals through Monday of up to 70 millimetres near the Alberta-B.C. border and up to 30 millimetres for other areas. The centre warns that fast-flowing rivers pose increased risks, urging people to stay away from riverbanks, which may be unstable.
A flood warning indicates that river levels have exceeded or will imminently exceed banks, causing flooding. A flood watch means rivers are rising and may approach or exceed banks. High streamflow advisories signal expected rises in river levels.
