A handful of homes in Prince George, B.C. at risk of being swallowed by the rising Fraser River are being evacuated.
Prince George communications manager Mike Davis told ctvbc.ca that a local state of emergency has been declared as the Fraser and area tributaries continue to swell following days of heavy rainfall in northern B.C.
An evacuation order has been issued for about 10 riverside homes located near Paddlewheel Park, Davis said, and a reception centre for displaced residents has been set up at City Hall.
"Emergency operations will be offered for any affected residents, and that covers food, shelter and clothing costs for 72 hours," Davis said.
The BC River Forecast Centre expects the Fraser to exceed the July 2 peak of 9.21 metres early Monday morning and continue to rise throughout the day.
Rain is forecast through most of the week, but officials hope the rivers will be subsiding by Tuesday.
"We've looked at the river monitoring and they've indicated it should crest over the next 36 hours," Davis said. "For now, we continue to monitor river levels hourly."
Residents have been told to keep a close eye on water levels and to avoid river banks and recreational activities on the river.
Water had already overtaken an industrial road in the city's downtown and Cottonwood Island Park, where the Fraser and Nechako rivers meet, by Sunday afternoon.
More rain in Peace River region
Rainfall continued in B.C.'s central and southern Peace River region Sunday as well. A flood warning was issued in the area Saturday afternoon after 36 hours of torrential rain.
Several major routes in the region were washed out and eventually closed, including sections of Highway 52 between Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge and Highway 16 roughly 77 kilometres east of Prince George.
Homes were evacuated in Dawson Creek for the second time in as many weeks, though no injuries have been reported.
Environment Canada says the intensity of the rainfall decreased Sunday, and the agency expects most Peace region water levels to peak before Monday with the exception of the Moberly River.
Emergency program ready to respond
Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond said the province's emergency program is on high alert and ready to help if floods hit the area.
Bond added that officials have already been looking at venues in nearby towns that could host families that might be displaced by flooding.
The province has offered disaster relief funding to repair ruined bridges, crumbled roadbeds and damaged homes and businesses that were damaged by the area's deluge in late June.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Bhinder Sajan and files from The Canadian Press
