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
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.