The Cariboo Regional District has activated its emergency operations centre because of the threat of flooding in the area.
It comes as several high streamflow advisories are in place along with a handful of flood watches because of rain that is expected into the weekend.
“Due to a low-pressure system expected to impact the province today and into the weekend, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the region [we have] activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at a Level 1 in preparedness/response to forecasted weather trends across the region,” Stephanie Masun, the CRD’s Manager of Emergency Program Services, said.
The City of Williams Lake has also activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Level 1 because of an “identified increased water load” at a historic beaver dam site high above Juniper Street off South Lakeside Drive.
An EOC Level 1 response is meant for a small event that has the potential to cause a threat to safety and security.
“The dam is located on Crown land within City limits. As a precautionary measure, the City of Williams Lake is assessing the risk and has plans in place to reduce the water level behind the dam,” Erick Peterson, Emergency Operations Centre Director in Williams Lake, said.
“No properties have currently been determined to be at risk.”
The City of Kamloops is also urging caution around waterways given with the wet and rainy weather we’ve seen over the past few days.
“It’s easy to underestimate the power of rushing water, and we want to make sure residents stay safe this spring,” Kamloops Fire Rescue Deputy Chief, Ryan Cail, said.
“Flooded creeks and streams are unpredictable. Even though the surface water may be smooth, the water is moving very fast. Never attempt to drive or walk in flood water.”
Cail says six inches of fast-moving water is enough to knock over an adult, while two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
For more information on flood preparation in Kamloops, go here.
For information related to the Cariboo Regional District, you can call the public information line at 1-866-759-4977 or check online here.
