B.C. Flooding: Evacuation alert issued for dozens of homes in Upper Fraser Valley
About 40 homes in the Upper Fraser Valley were under evacuation alert Saturday as flooding concerns spread across much of B.C.
The alert was issued by the District of Kent for properties in the area of Harrison Mills, along the Harrison River. Residents were being warned to prepare in case an evacuation order was issued.
On Saturday, fill-your-own sandbags were available to residents at the corner of Morris Valley Road and Chehalis Forest Service Road east of Sasquatch Inn.
The alert comes as officials continue to monitor rising water levels in the Fraser River. Dave Campbell with B.C.s River Forecast Centre said low-lying areas that are not protected by dyke infrastructure could start seeing flooding in the coming days.
“Certainly in the short term we’re seeing, what I call modest increases in the rise, so it is steadily coming up but it's not big jumps,” Campbell said Saturday.
Streamflow warnings were also issued through the Kootenays on Saturday. Campbell said his centre is monitoring a “weather event” around the Rockies.
“We’ve been tracking it for a number of days now,” he said. “Right now it’s looking like a bullseye on the Alberta side but that’s going to bring some rainfall into the southeast corner of B.C., throughout the Kootenays.”
In the Interior, a flood watch has been issued for the North Thompson River including tributaries around Barriere and Clearwater.
Meantime, a high streamflow advisory and flood warning issued earlier this week for northern British Columbia remains in effect. The warning for the Liard River in the northeastern area of the province, initially issued Tuesday, includes tributaries around Fort Nelson and Highway 97 towards Watson Lake. The centre says it is also maintaining a high streamflow advisory for Swift River and other streams and rivers in the most northwestern section of the province.
The elevated risk of flooding for many in parts of B.C. comes after a cool, wet spring leaving rivers and streams at peak levels and an above-average snowpack that hasn’t significantly melted.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.