Several BC communities facing a flood risk issued evacuation alerts later this week.
Emergency evacuation alerts were issued on Thursday by the City of Smithers, Bulkley-Nechako Regional District and Kitimate-Stikine Regional District on Thursday.
Evacuation alerts were issued when the River Forecast Center issued high-flow warnings covering parts of the southern interior of BC, as warming causes snow to melt and water to rise. Similar warnings remain in place in northern parts of the CC
The forecast center said a low-pressure system is expected to cause unstable weather and moderate to heavy rains inland from Friday. He also said the current model indicates the potential for high flows and possible flooding conditions over the weekend, with some uncertainty about how much rain will fall.
In the Smithers area, a water flow warning has been updated as Bulkley River flood monitoring. As a result, the city issued an evacuation alert Thursday afternoon due to the “potential danger to life and health” for areas of Riverside Drive, Riverside Park Campground and the Smithers Fall Fairgrounds. .
“An evacuation alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property if necessary,” the city said in a statement.
“Residents will be notified as soon as possible prior to evacuation; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”
Across the river from Smithers, an alert was also issued Thursday for the Ebenezer Plans area.
Alerts issued by the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District covered New Remo, Old Remo, Dutch Valley and Usk.
Officials explained that the alerts do not mean residents should leave home now, but should prepare for a possible evacuation order. With the alert set, those living in the affected area should gather essential items such as medicines, valuable papers and immediate care needs in a bag to pick up and carry.
Residents should also contact family members, choose a meeting place, and arrange a stay with friends or family, if possible and if necessary. Those in the area should also prepare for the transportation of all household members and fill up the gas tanks.
Updates will be posted on the EmergencyInfoBC website.
Along with the distribution of information online and in person, officials announced last month that the Alert Ready system, previously used for tsunami threats and amber alerts, is being expanded. This spring and summer, residents affected by imminent disaster threats such as flooding, wildfires or extreme heat may receive an emergency alert on their mobile phones.
With files from The Canadian Press