Latest in series of storms passing over still-flooded B.C. 'not as severe as forecast'
Officials in British Columbia say the province is "on the other end" of a series of intense storms that caused mudslides, flooding and deaths.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth started his daily update Thursday with what is likely welcome news for thousands of residents who've been impacted by the extreme weather: the worst of it "appears to be behind us."
The forecast includes more seasonally typical conditions for the next week, he said. There will be some rain, but nothing like the precipitation brought by the numerous "atmospheric rivers" that passed over southern B.C. in the past several weeks.
The third in a trio of these systems struck this week, and prompted evacuation orders and pre-emptive road closures, as well as multiple mudslides.
But it could have been worse.
"The latest events were not as severe as forecast," Farnworth said.
After days of renewed weather warnings, Environment Canada lifted all alerts in B.C. Thursday as conditions eased in parts impacted by the storms.
Farnworth said the River Forecast Centre is also taking down many of its advisories, as water levels are expected to drop.
"The process of recovering and rebuilding is already underway, and while it will take time, I'm confident that we will get there," Farnworth said.
Still, those who live nearby or visit those areas recreationally are advised to be wary as snowmelt is still feeding the swollen rivers.
As of Thursday afternoon, warnings remained in place for the Chilliwack River at Vedder Crossing and above Slesse Creek, and for the Coquihalla River above Alexander Creek. Several others are under less severe flood watches and high streamflow advisories.
But conditions had improved enough that a section of Highway 1, which closed Sunday for a second time due to flooding, was reopened between Chilliwack and Abbotsford Thursday.
Part of Highway 99, however, was closed late Wednesday and remained closed Thursday due to a new mudslide. Last month, another mudslide made that highway the site of the deaths of four people, and the presumed death of a fifth who is still missing.
While things are looking up in some areas, new evacuation orders and alerts were issued Thursday, including for properties outside Keremeos and Pemberton.
Farnworth urged residents of B.C. not to allow themselves to get complacent as the conditions improve.
He said steps should be taken as winter approaches, including the monitoring of travel alerts, limiting non-essential trips when conditions are poor, switching to winter tires and keeping an emergency kit in their vehicle.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.