The province has issued an evacuation alert for parts of Pemberton and the Lil'Wat First Nation due to risk of flooding.

Residents of the Airport Road area of Pemberton are asked to be prepared to leave the area with short notice, should the alert turn into an order. Indian Reserves 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10 of the Lil'Wat First Nation also all under the alert.

Airport Road has been closed due to flooding and related dangers, officials said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"Please do not attempt to drive or access this by foot," Emergency Info B.C. said.

The Village of Pemberton posted more details on its website, explaining that the alert was issued to notify residents that there is a "potential for loss of life from unstable flooding conditions."

Pemberton's Chief Administrative Officer Nikki Gilmore recommended that residents:

  • Meet with family members and designate a meeting point in case of mandatory evacuation.
  • Gather essential items including food, medication, eyeglasses, valuable papers (like insurance documents) and keepsakes.
  • Prepare to move any disabled persons and/or children.
  • Move pets and livestock to a safe location.
  • Arrange alternative accommodations if possible, but reception centres will be opened if required in event of an evacuation.
  • Monitor news sources and the village's website until the alert has been retracted.

In addition to Airport Road, the village posted that One Mile Lake Park and trails in the area have been closed until further notice due to flooding.

There is also a flood warning in effect for Lillooet River and surrounding creeks and tributaries, and the public is advised to avoid the area during rainfall.

Pemberton residents looking for more information are asked to visit the village's website or Facebook page. For more information from the First Nation, call the Mount Currie Band office at 604-894-6115.

Dozens of kilometres southwest of Pemberton, the province has also issued a "high streamflow advisory" for the Squamish River and tributaries near Brackendale.

The advisory from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations warned that snowmelt combined with overnight rainfall over Howe Sound and the river watershed caused a rapid rise of the Squamish River. Snowmelt and rainfall are also to blame for the rising Lillooet, according to the Ministry.

"Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast about 10 mm rainfall for today over these regions and river levels are expected to rise slightly and be stable this evening," the province said. 

"A break in rainfall is forecast overnight tonight into Thursday which should allow the rivers to stabilize and then recede."