Thompson-Nicola Regional District declares state of emergency as waters rise
Areas affected are near Kamloops, B.C.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a state of local emergency due to flooding in electoral area J and M, near the city of Kamloops, B.C.
A state of local emergency enables local authorities to exercise certain emergency powers, including ordering the evacuation of residents from their homes, prohibiting travel, and entering private property.
There is currently one property in the area under an evacuation order.
64 properties under alert
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has placed 64 properties in the Twin Lakes area under evacuation alert due to the potential of flooding.
All of those homes are adjacent to Lower Nipit Lake.
"The Twin Lakes area experienced significant flooding in 2017. This year is expected to be significantly worse," reads a release from the regional district.
"From today, Lower Nipit Lake has the potential to rise another six feet. Currently, the lake level is rising as much as six inches per day. Lake levels are expected to rise quickly in the next week with warm temperatures melting the local snowpack; which is more than 150 per cent higher than normal."
As of Thursday there are 12 evacuation orders and 11 evacuation alerts in place across the province.
Evacuation Alert issued for lakeside properties at Twin Lakes near Kaleden, BC. Significant rise in lake levels forecast in next few weeks. <a href="https://t.co/QWjSwdfSZ2">https://t.co/QWjSwdfSZ2</a> <a href="https://t.co/IEcVzSfE30">pic.twitter.com/IEcVzSfE30</a>
—@EmergMgtRDOSWarm temperatures, then rain in forecast
The River Forecast Centre says the southern Interior, southeast B.C. and the northeastern corner of the province are expected to see the warm temperatures over the next few days, speeding snowmelt into already surging rivers.
The warmth will be followed by rain next week.
Flood warnings remain posted for the Nazko and West Road rivers in the Cariboo region, while flood watches cover central Interior rivers including the Bonaparte, Baker Creek and other waterways around Merritt, Cache Creek, Williams Lake and Quesnel.
The Salmon River and tributaries around Prince George have been added to the many rivers and creeks under a high streamflow advisory.
With files from the Canadian Press