'Worst-case scenarios': Fraser Valley residents warned to be prepared for potential spring flooding
It's a call to be prepared for potential flooding this spring, and it comes with good reason.
The Fraser Valley Regional District is urging those living in low-lying areas to have “go kits” ready and important documents easily accessible should homes have to be quickly evacuated.
“What we’re doing here is not to try and alarm people but is to be proactive, be ready before an event happens,” said Jason Lum, chair of the FVRD.
The request comes as B.C. faces an elevated flood risk. The province has seen record snowpack and record-late melt in some areas. The Fraser River is being closely monitored.
“We are seeing elevated snowpack and that’s been exacerbated by the delay in the melt, and so there’s still most of that snow to come down over the next four to six weeks,” said David Campbell of B.C.’s River Forecast Centre.
“We’re starting to see some of those worst-case scenarios related to the weather pattern so far in the snowpack,” he added.
Campbell said conditions are similar to what occurred before the historic Fraser River floods of 1948.
“We did see that pattern of an extremely cool spring and then a rapid melt, so we know that’s the kind of ingredients for a potential significant flood event, so that’s what’s concerning us most,” he said.
Sudden, hot weather is a worry. Heavy rains, like those seen in November, are not expected, but Campbell said heavy rain could still be the “wild card.”
The catastrophic flooding in B.C. last year has made Lum, and many others, more cautious.
“I think everybody’s a little bit tense, walking a little bit on eggshells here,” he said.
“The climate is changing. These weather events are becoming more extreme and more frequent. And really, it’s up to us … to become resilient as well, make sure we're doing everything we can to be emergency prepared,” Lum said.
He said when the weather warms up and people are spending more time around rivers and streams, they need to be extra cautious.
“When the melt starts, it can rise very rapidly, especially if the weather turns very warm, very quickly.”
He said one of the challenges continues to be the current diking systems, which will take billions of dollars to upgrade.
Lum recommends residents sign up for the Alertable app to receive emergency notifications.
“The time is now to get ready and be prepared,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 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.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.