Flood warnings, evacuation alerts issued in southeastern B.C.

Flood warnings have been issued for several river basins in southeastern B.C. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)

Imminent flooding has prompted upgraded warnings from the B.C. River Forecast Centre as authorities in the province’s southeast issue evacuation alerts.

The river forecast centre issued flood warnings for the Upper Columbia, Kootenay and Lardeau rivers Saturday morning, meaning water levels in those rivers “have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.”

The Regional District of Central Kootenay issued evacuation alerts Friday night for more than 200 properties along the Lardeau and Duncan rivers and their tributaries, as well as for 165 properties in the community of Six Mile near Duhamel Creek, north of the City of Nelson.

The Duhamel Creek evacuation alert was rescinded Saturday afternoon.

“A hydrologist assessment indicates the water levels of Duhamel Creek are below the banks and contained within the channel,” the regional district said in its notice rescinding the alert.

“The current Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast supports a rescind of the evacuation alert.”

The Town of Golden also issued an evacuation alert Friday for a handful of properties on Anderson Road.

Residents of the affected areas are being asked to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice, though as of Saturday afternoon, no evacuation orders had been issued.

The river forecast centre is blaming rapid snowmelt and heavy rain for the increased flood risk.

“Warmer weather over the past several days has led to increased snowmelt rates and rising river levels through the region,” the agency said in a statement Saturday.

“An upper low is advancing across the U.S. northwest, and is expected to bring severe weather, including moderate to heavy rainfall, into Alberta and the eastern edge of British Columbia. Rainfall is expected Saturday through Monday and early Tuesday.”

The heaviest rain is expected to fall in Alberta, the river forecast centre said, while noting that an additional 20 to 70 millimetres, or more, could fall on the B.C. side of the boundary.

“There is still uncertainty in the location of the storm track with this system, and if it shifts westward from its current projected movement it could bring higher rainfall amounts into B.C.,” the agency said.

In addition to the flood warnings, the centre has issued flood watches for the North Thompson River and its tributaries around Blue River and Clearwater, as well as both the East and West Kootenay regions.

High streamflow advisories are in effect for the Upper Fraser River and its tributaries from Prince George to McBride and Red Pass, as well as the South Thompson River and the Boundary region.

Flood watches are issued when “river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull,” while high streamflow advisories mean “river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly,” but “no major flooding is expected,” according to the river forecast centre.

“Fast-flowing rivers pose increased risk to safety,” the agency said. “Stay away from rivers and river banks, which can be unstable. Never drive through floodwaters, as unseen hazards and current can be life threatening.”