Thousands of British Columbians in the BC Interior remain under evacuation alert – or have already been forced to flee their homes – as water levels in lakes and rivers continue to rise.
17 km on the Christian Valley road is totally submerged from the Kettle River # 2018 flooding pic.twitter.com/hOJO8Pvl2n
— Emcon Koot/Boundary (@EmconKoot) May 10, 2018
Osoyoos
In Osoyoos, a local state of emergency has been declared, due to the imminent threat of flooding and rising Lake levels which may “threaten properties and town infrastructure,” officials said.
The town has also ordered all residents to turn off their sump pumps and that the “act of directing basement flood or ground water directly into the town’s sewer system, through the use of sump pumps or other infrastructure, stop immediately,” as water being drained into the sewer system in current conditions is overwhelming pump infrastructure.
Residences with basement flood waster are also being asked to cover their floor drains and use “other methods” of draining their flood water outside the home.
A flood warning has also been issued for other areas of the Okanagan, including Mission Creek, as well as tributaries in Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, and the surrounding areas.
The Salmon River near Falkland and Salmon Arm is the subject of a flood warning as well.
Kootenay-Boundary
High waters are also creating problems in the province’s Kootenay-Boundary region, particularly in Grand Forks – a town of 4,000 residents – where water has now spilled on to the city’s main streets.
Flood waters on #BCHwy3 through the City of Grand Forks continue to rise. Please refrain from driving through this area if possible. #Kootenays pic.twitter.com/SqESWrP2CV
— W Kootenay District (@TranBC_WestKoot) May 10, 2018
As a result, an evacuation alert was issued for homes in the town itself, as well as throughout the surrounding region.
Evacuation alerts and orders include homes on the Kettle and Granby River floodplains, as well as homes in Christina Lake, Midway, Rock Creek, Beaverdell, Greenwood, and the Christian Valley area.
Highways closed
In addition to properties and homes being affected, highways are also feeling the effects of the flooding.
On Friday, Drive BC said Highway 3 was closed in both directions, 14 kilometres west of Keremeos, because of flooding.
There is no estimated time of reopening for the route.
Water levels are also an issue on a section of Highway 8, 10 kilometres west of Merritt.
#BCHwy8 #BCflood bridge 10k W of #Merritt remains closed. Engineering assessment in progress, water levels expected to rise.
Exception: Emergency Vehicles & heavy equipment for flood remediation. pic.twitter.com/bysrKN9Nuw— VSA Hwy Maintenance (@VSAMaintenance) May 7, 2018
#bcflood more logging equipment. Crews trying to loosen stream bed loading under bridge, while deer 350 dredged channel below. 10k W of #Merritt on #BCHwy8 pic.twitter.com/x0tamDC3HY
— VSA Hwy Maintenance (@VSAMaintenance) May 11, 2018
Rivers “have not peaked”
For those affected by the flooding, it appears things are going to get worse, before they get better.
Emergency officials warned this week that local rivers “have not peaked yet,” and that the peak could last several days. “Water levels are 30 cm above a 200-year record, based on Kettle River Ferry gauge in the US,” they added.