B.C. forecaster downgrades North Coast flood risk after atmospheric river event

British Columbia's River Forecast Centre has downgraded a flood warning for the province's North Coast after what it described as a strong atmospheric river event this week.

A high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the region, including the Nass River and tributaries around Stewart, Terrace, Prince Rupert and Kitimat, but a notice from the centre says the heavy downpours have ended, and no significant rain is expected in the coming days.

A high streamflow advisory is issued when river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. 

• See a map of the impacted area

According to Environment Canada, some rain showers and even a bit of snow are forecast for much of the North Coast over the next week. 

The river forecast centre says the highest rainfall totals ranged from 90 to 140 millimetres, and freezing levels increased during the weather system, leading to rain-on-snow conditions in mountainous areas.

The notice says snowmelt contributed to the rapid rise in rivers in the area.

The forecaster says most rivers peaked on Thursday, but flows still remain relatively high, and fast-flowing waterways pose increased risks to people's safety.

It says the Little Wedeene River, a tributary of the Kitimat River, peaked at just under a 10-year flow level while several other river systems came close to five-year flow levels, including the Kitimat River.