Flash flooding in B.C. Interior affects at least 20 homes, emergency officials say

At least 20 homes have been affected by flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior amid heavy rains that forced the overnight closure of the Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District activated its emergency operations centre Monday for residents affected by the flooding in the community of Savona, west of Kamloops.

The regional district said no injuries or damage to critical infrastructure had been reported, but officials are working with residents of at least 20 homes that were affected by floodwaters.

The Interior Health authority said in a statement posted to social media around at Monday that Savona-area residents were reporting sewage smells around their homes following the flooding.

The health authority says floodwaters should always be considered contaminated and should be avoided as a result. Interior Health says anyone whose household plumbing or septic field is slow to drain or smells of sewage should contact an authorized repairperson to deal with the issue.

Trans-Canada Highway closure

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure closed a section of the Trans-Canada Highway through Savona in both directions Sunday night due to the flooding.

The highway and nearby access roads were fully reopened overnight, however the ministry warned drivers that speed reductions would be in place while road crews work to mitigate damage to the highway.

With additional rain in the forecast for the region, the ministry told CTV News in a statement the highway could again be shut down "immediately, if needed." 

Videos posted to social media showed floodwaters running downhill across the highway prior to the closure.

The ministry said highway repairs and cleanup are expected to take several days, and travellers should expect to see road workers and traffic control personnel in the area.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Interior region Sunday afternoon, warning the looming storm could produce large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and torrential rainfall.

The severe weather watch remained in place through Monday.

The regional district urges residents in the area to subscribe to the local emergency alert notification system for the latest updates on the flooding.

Anyone whose property was damaged by flooding in the Thompson-Nicola region is advised to call the emergency operations centre at 250-377-7188.