This page will be updated throughout the day (June 3rd, 2022) as information comes in and conditions change.
High Streamflow Advisory and Flood Watch
A High Streamflow Advisory remains in place for the Skeena, Stikine, and Liard water basins, with sections of the Bulkley Valley upgraded to a Flood Watch.
Steady warming in recent days has led to increased snowmelt and river runoffs, prompting the River Forecast Centre to issue the alerts.
Currently, tributaries of the Bulkley River near Telkwa and Smithers are under a Flood Watch, due to heavier rainfall predictions.
Other tributaries of the Bulkley, as well as those of the Skeena River, near Terrace, Kispoix, Hazelton, Smithers, and Telkwa, remain under a High Streamflow Advisory.
Tributaries of the Stikine River near Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek, and the Liard near Fort Nelson and Watson Lake, are also covered under that advisory.
A High Streamflow Advisory is the lowest level of alert issued by the Centre, with minor flooding in low-lying areas possible, but major flooding unlikely.
Rivers under a Flood Watch are expected to approach or exceed bankfull, with flooding of adjacent areas possible.
River levels in the Skeena are predicted to hit as high as 20 year flood-levels this weekend, while those in the Bulkley could hit 50 year levels.
Those are down from 100 year predictions from earlier this week.
Evacuation Alerts
A pair of evacuation alerts have been issued in the Northwest due to increased flood risks prompted by the delayed snowmelt, and precipitation.
One such alert, issued by the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, covers Old Remo, New Remo, Dutch Valley, and Usk.
In addition, the District has joined the City of Terrace in activating their Emergency Operations Centre to monitor flood risks.
A second alert, issued by the Town of Smithers, covers the Fall Fair Grounds, Riverside Park Campground, and Riverside Drive.
An Evacuation Alert is not a call to evacuate, but rather for residents and businesses to get prepared in case evacuation becomes necessary.
Residents in low-lying areas and those that have experienced flooding in the past are asked to take steps to flood proof their structures.
All residents covered under the alerts should gather essential items, move livestock and pets to safe areas, and arrange transportation and accommodation in case of an evacuation order.
Sandbags and Flood Preparation
In order to help residents better prepare for possible weekend flooding, sandbags are being made available to residents of the Terrace area.
In order to combat flood risks and damages, the City is partnering with the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine to make the sandbags available.
Hand-bagging is now available on a self-serve basis at the Terrace Public Works Yard on Graham Avenue, between 7:00 and 3:30 on weekdays.
Sand and burlap sacks will be on site, but residents are asked to bring their own shovels.
A sandbagging machine, provided by Emergency Management BC, is also available at the vacant log area at the northwest corner of Keith and Kenney.
Crews will be on site filling the machine, capable of filling 600 bags per hour, with empty and some pre-filled bags available.
Sandbags and sand are also available at the Thornhill Fire Department between 8:30 and 4:30 on weekdays.
Those looking for sand or sandbags in the Smithers area should call 250 877 1183.
You can find more information and flood preparation resources at this link.
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