Evacuation alerts for more homes as officials monitor B.C. flood threat

VANCOUVER — The organization that monitors river levels across British Columbia is warning of the potential for more flooding over the weekend and early next week, especially in the southern Interior, southeast B.C. and the northeastern corner of the province.

The River Forecast Centre said Friday that those regions are expected to see the warmest temperatures over the next few days, speeding snowmelt into already surging rivers. Forecasts say the warmth will be followed by rain next week.

Flood warnings remain posted for the Nazko and West Road rivers in the Cariboo region, while flood watches cover central Interior rivers including the Bonaparte, Baker Creek and other waterways around Merritt, Cache Creek, Williams Lake and Quesnel.

The Salmon River and tributaries around Prince George have been added to the many rivers and creeks under a high streamflow advisory and, in southern B.C., the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for 64 properties in the Twin Lake area.

The district said that area west of Kaleden experienced significant flooding last year and conditions this year are expected to be “significantly worse.”

EmergencyInfo B.C. said evacuation orders or alerts are in place in five regional districts, including a new alert affecting 39 properties near Prince George. The evacuation order issued last week for 12 homes in Killiney Beach, southwest of Vernon, was lifted Thursday.