Flood updates: Rains ease in B.C., but heat could melt snowpack
With temperatures spiking this weekend, so too are worries about the increased risk of rising river levels in B.C.
A high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the upper and lower Fraser River.
The Mission Gauge is at 5.55m. Levels are forecast to rise this weekend to around 5.65m, but stay below 6.0m into early next week.
Meanwhile, there is a flood warning for the Quesnel River and a flood watch for the Thompson River and Shuswap.
Hot temperatures are expected to make the late snowpack in the mountains melt more quickly, but that’s just one of several concerns being raised by the head of the River Forecast Centre.
“The first is the progression of runoff that has come from rainfall that we experienced earlier this week that has been travelling down from larger river system and we can still see that today or tomorrow,” said Dave Campbell.
Emergency Management B.C. says more than 530,000 sandbags have been deployed in the province.
“We have been working with the BC Wildfire Service crews to limit flood damage,” said Pader Brach of Emergency Management B.C.
“This weekend, we have around 130 BC Wildfire Service personnel on standby if needed (to assist with sandbagging),” he said.
Brach is also warning people about the risk of being around river banks.
“While I know people may want to seek out rivers during the hot weather over the weekend, river banks again are very dangerous right now and prone to collapse. High flows will also make waters more difficult to navigate,” he explained.
He said people should take precautions and be especially mindful of children and pets around rivers.
Campbell says the coming days are critical for the flood risk, but it’s hoped the province can turn a corner on the threat by late next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.