Streamflow and Flood Advisories
A High Streamflow Advisory remains in place for the Stikine and Liard water basins, but has been upgraded to a Flood Watch in the Skeena basin.
Steady warming in recent days has led to increased snowmelt and river runoffs, prompting the River Forecast Centre to issue the alerts.
Currently, the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers, as well as their tributaries near Terrace, Smithers, Telkwa, Hazelton, and Kispiox are under a Flood Watch.
Tributaries of the Stikine River near Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek, and the Liard near Fort Nelson and Watson Lake, remain under a High Streamflow Advisory.
Rivers under a Flood Watch are expected to approach or exceed bankfull, with flooding of adjacent areas possible.
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.
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 10 year levels.
Those are down from 100 year predictions from earlier this week.
Evacuation Alerts
Three 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.
A second alert, issued by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, covers properties south of the Bulkley accessed of Quick Station Road, with some exceptions, and the Ebeneezer Flats.
Lastly, the Town of Smithers has issued an Alert covering 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 Available
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.
Sue to issues with the machine clogging, the station at the vacant log area on the northwest corner of Keith and Kenney has been turned in to a handfilling site as well.
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.
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