The center says flood control has been issued for the Thompson River, from Kamloops to the Spences Bridge, as continued snowmelt and runoff have made river levels “too high” for this time of year. A tip for high flow has also been issued for the Upper Columbia region, including the Kicking Horse River, the Illecillewaet River and the rivers flowing around Invermere, Radium, Golden and Revelstoke. The low-pressure system is expected to run through Wednesday through early Thursday, with rainfall of up to 40mm in the North and South Thompson, the Cariboo Mountains and the Upper Columbia River Basin. With heavy rainfall, river levels could reach record levels for the season, which could lead to flooding, according to the center. High temperatures next week could cause rapid snowmelt which could also contribute to flooding. Last week, Dave Campbell, head of the River Forecast Center, said the delay in melting the snow this year means that the greatest risk of flooding will continue until July. Meanwhile, Environment Canada meteorologist Armell Castellan noted that the forecast for July shows much warmer conditions in BC, which could increase the risk of flooding.
The Emergency Operations Center has been activated
The city of Kamloops activated the Emergency Business Center (EOC) on Monday as a “precautionary measure that allows the Municipality to respond quickly in the event of a deterioration of the situation and allows access to additional resources as required”. Meanwhile the city of Kelowna remains in a state of local emergency came into force last Tuesday after Mission Creek reached its shores, flooding roads, yards and basements. In the Elk Valley, Sparwood area extended it Local emergency until June 27. Last week it partially canceled an evacuation notice for residents of lower Lodgepole Mobile Home Park, while the notice for Mountainview Mobile Home Park remains in effect.
Other flood clocks, evacuation alerts
Flood monitoring for the Liard River and its tributaries between Fort Nelson and Watson Lake in the northeast BC, in the northern and southern areas of Thompson, in the Shuswap area and in parts of the Quesnel River east of Lake Williams remains in place. . Despite the general easing of conditions, EmergencyInfoBC reports that evacuation warnings are in progress for areas west of Tulameen and in the Harrison Mills west of Hope. Local flood alarm has also been issued from the village of Lumby in northern Okanagan. Flood warning is the most serious in a three-tier alarm system used by the forecast center and means flood is expected. On the other hand, flood monitoring means that river levels are rising and flooding can occur. The high flow warning is the lowest of the three levels issued by the River Prediction Center.
