Flood risk has decreased in the Interior south of British Columbia but is increasing in the north of the province due to changing weather conditions.
The River Prediction Center issued a new flood observation for the Liard River and its tributaries Sunday, including the areas around the Fort Nelson community and Highway 97 toward Lake Watson.
It said steady warming last week had led to more snow and water run-off in rivers in northern and central BC, while a storm system added rain to the rivers.
More rain is expected Sunday and Monday for the Bulkley and Skeena Valley regions, the forecasting center said, which could cause rivers there to swell, while the Liard River would also continue to rise. , the forecast center said.
But it said the danger has eased in the eastern Okanagan and Boundary regions, where flood meters have been downgraded to high flow advisory.
The forecast center said that while localized storms could affect river systems in the area, the magnitude of the surge was not forecast at this time.
“In general, hydrological projections across the region over the next few days indicate steady or reduced runoff levels, provided that smaller systems may experience a larger-than-expected response to precipitation. local convection is difficult to predict,” it said.
A low-pressure system brought challenging weather and moderate to heavy rains across the Southern Interior Friday and into Saturday, the forecast center said.
The storm led to some downpours locally, particularly in areas around Merritt, and into the headwaters of the Nicola River, the source of some of last year’s most severe flooding.
Although more rain is forecast on Sunday, it won’t be as heavy as Friday and Saturday and smaller rivers south of the Inland have peaked, it said.
Areas covered by flood risk downgrades include Mission Creek and its tributaries east of Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, and surrounding areas east of the Okanagan; the West Kettle River and its surrounding tributaries; and Spius Creek and Lower Nicola River.
A new flood observation was also issued on Sunday for the River Dean in the Fraser Plateau.
Flood meters are the second of a three-level warning system used by the forecasting center, and they mean that river levels are rising and will approach or overflow the crest of their banks.
The flood warning, the most severe, was not in effect Sunday afternoon for any part of BC, however the forecast center has warned that some rivers could peak by next week.
Dozens of residents across British Columbia remain on evacuation alert, including in areas around Terrace and Smithers, meaning they are told to prepare to leave as soon as possible if the situation deteriorates. Go.
© 2022 Canadian Press
