Flood warnings last through weekend

A number of flood warnings and watches remained in effect Sunday across various B.C. communities.

On Sunday morning, a high streamflow advisory was maintained for the Lower Fraser River downstream from Hope, due to recent rainfall and spring snowmelt.

“Flows along the Lower Fraser River, from Hope to the ocean, are now rising rapidly in response to rainfall earlier in the week across the headwaters in the B.C. Interior,” the advisory read.

Key headwater tributaries have seen their flows peak in recent days and the run-off is now travelling down from the Upper Fraser, Cariboo Mountains and Thompson River systems.

Meanwhile, a flood warning remained in place for the Bonaparte River, along with a flood watch for the South and North Thompson River, including at Kamloops and downstream to Spences Bridge.

High streamflow advisories are also in place for tributaries feeding into the Thompson River, including Blue River, Clearwater River, Shuswap River and Lake, and Adams River, while a high streamflow advisory remained in place for Salmon River.

As a result of increased water levels in the Fraser River, the city of Prince George issued an evacuation alert on Saturday for residents of Farrell Street across from Paddlewheel Park due to significant risk of flooding.

Meanwhile, residents at 175 properties in Cache Creek have also been told to be ready to evacuate their properties if the river level of Bonaparte River continues to rise, after heavy rainfall last week caused the flooding of the firehall and a local park last week.

Some 300 people live in the 175 properties and will need to leave at a moment’s notice should the alert be upgraded to an order.