BURST
B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has issued several flood warnings and advisories for much of B.C.’s Southern Interior.
In an update Saturday, the centre says the Upper Colombia, Lardeau and Kootenay rivers are under flood warnings while flood watches are in effect for the North Thompson, West and East Kootenay regions.
A high streamflow advisory covers the Upper Fraser, South Thompson and Boundary areas.
The centre says warm weather has led to increased snowmelt rates and rising river levels throughout the region and heavy rain is expected Saturday through Tuesday.
Evacuation alerts have been issued for 165 properties north of Nelson, along the Lardeau and Duncan rivers and Duhamel Creek because of possible flooding, according to the Central Kootenay Regional District.
Six properties are also under evacuation alert in Golden on Anderson Road due to high water on the Columbia River. because of rapidly rising water. Residents are being asked to prepare their grab-and-go bags.
Weather models are indicating rainfall totals through Monday of up to 70 millimetres near the Alberta-B. C. border, and up to 30 mm for other areas, according to the B.C. government.
The centre warns that fast-flowing rivers pose increased risk to safety, and is urging people to stay away from rivers and river banks, which can be unstable.
A flood warning means that river levels have exceeded banks or will imminently and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result. A flood watch means rivers are rising and will approach or exceed banks. High streamflow advisories mean rivers are expected to rise.