Connect with us

Canada News

Spring temperatures cause flooding, mudslides for southern B.C.

Published

on

VANCOUVER – Two men are missing, homes have been damaged and more evacuation orders are in place as flooding and mudslides wreak havoc across southern British Columbia.

A 76-year-old man in a community north of Salmon Arm is unaccounted for after a mudslide enveloped his home Saturday, RCMP said.

Several other homes were damaged and a road leading to about 100 residences was cut off by the slide in the community of Tappen.

Meanwhile, the search continued for a missing fire chief in the village of Cache Creek who is believed to been swept away by swollen creek early Friday.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations officials say new evacuation orders were issued within Kelowna on Saturday, as flooding threatened 90 multi-family units, four single homes and one commercial property.

Warm temperatures speeding up the spring snowmelt and recent showers have resulted in rising water levels for many rivers and creeks.

Simon Fraser University earth sciences professor Brent Ward said it appears to be the worst flooding the province has seen since the late 1990s and if warm temperatures and rain stick around, it will delay relief for residents in flood zones.

“It depends on how rapidly the snowpack will melt which is a function of the temperature of the next little while as well as the rain,” he said.

The City of West Kelowna declared a local state of emergency Saturday to address the flooding, and residents whose safety was at risk have been evacuated.

Ninety properties in the Fintry Delta area north of Kelowna also remain under an evacuation order due to flooding, while neighbouring residents are warned to be prepared to leave their homes on short notice if conditions worsen.

The River Forecast Centre has maintained a streamflow advisory for the south and central Interior, Boundary region and southeastern parts of the province as creek and river levels remain high.

The flooding and run-off has resulted in boil water advisories for the Westbank First Nation in Okanagan and the town of Kimberley in southeastern B.C.

DriveBC, which reports on provincial highway conditions, said sections of the Trans-Canada Highway near Salmon Arm and Glacier National Park were closed due to mudslides.

Highway 97A near Sicamous in the Interior is also closed following a mudslide while an avalanche closed Highway 99 at Duffey Lake east of Pemberton. Highway 8 west of Merritt was closed by a washout.

A statement from the provincial government on Friday warned people to stay away from river-banks and lake shorelines, not to drive through flood water and protect property in low-lying areas by clearing drains, sand bagging perimeters and removing valuables.

Ward says emergency officials have done a good job at addressing the crisis, but once the flooding clears, it may be time for communities to rethink their land use.

“The places that are flooding are on floodplains. I think people and municipalities have to start looking at how frequently do some of these areas flood and is it worth it for some of these people to be exposed to that kind of risk,” he said.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Man in White Dress Shirt Standing Beside Woman in Pink Long Sleeve Shirt Man in White Dress Shirt Standing Beside Woman in Pink Long Sleeve Shirt
Instagram1 day ago

What kind of diner are you? 6 types of diners who avoid plant-based meat dishes

Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat...

Art and Culture1 day ago

Coast Salish Canoe Culture comes to the Vancouver Maritime Museum

The Vancouver Maritime Museum is delighted to announce their latest exhibition from local səlil ̕wətaʔɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh artist, Zoe George....

Education1 day ago

TD and ApplyBoard Collaborate to Support Filipino Students Pursuing Studies in Canada

New relationship to help students planning on studying in Canada prepare their finances and expedite their study permits TD and...

Community News1 day ago

Filipino Community Leaders Celebrate the Federal Funding Commitment for a Filipino Community Cultural Centre in BC

Vancouver, BC — Filipino community leaders and New Democrat Finance Critic MP Don Davies celebrated together the historic inclusion of...

Community News1 day ago

Emaciated dachshund found trapped in carrier down embankment getting the care he desperately needs

The starved dachshund was found by a Good Samaritan who was driving his truck to get to mountain bike trails...

Entertainment1 day ago

“Summer For Reel” brings JoshLia’s “Love You to the Stars and Back” in Boracay

With acoustic performances from Maki, Angela Ken, and Bugoy Drillon Beat the heat with this summer’s must-see outdoor screening event,...

Entertainment1 day ago

Star Cinema and The IdeaFirst Company announce Vice Ganda’s movie comeback in “And The Breadwinner Is”

Asia’s Unkabogable Phenomenal Superstar Vice Ganda is set to return to the big screen once again after a two-year hiatus,...

Entertainment1 day ago

Joshua and Julia reunite for new movie “Un/happy for you”

Directed by Petersen Vargas, slated for release this 2024 It is the reunion that is not on anybody’s bingo cards...

Canada News1 day ago

U.S. gov’t paying to upgrade section of Alaska Highway in the Yukon

By Gabrielle Plonka, CBC News $42.6M has been pledged for the project The Alaskan government has pledged $42.6 million for...

A medical worker examines an X-ray of a patient’s lungs. A medical worker examines an X-ray of a patient’s lungs.
Canada News1 day ago

Inuit leaders disappointed with budget’s lack of money for tuberculosis elimination

By Brett Forester · CBC News Budget pledges $1.1B for First Nations and Inuit health but offers nothing on TB elimination specifically...

WordPress Ads