Evacuation alert issued, as flood warnings, watches, posted on some B.C. rivers

VANCOUVER – The first evacuation alert of the spring has been posted in south-central B.C. as run-off swells area rivers, creating the potential for flooding.

Residents living near Second Creek Canyon just north of Clearwater, about 120 kilometres north of Kamloops, are being warned to be ready to leave on short notice.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued the evacuation alert late Tuesday night, saying rising levels of the Clearwater River could sever area roads.

B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has posted a flood warning for the Clearwater River, while flood watches for the Quesnel and Horsefly rivers are also in effect.

The centre says potentially heavy rains expected through Thursday could swell already fast-flowing rivers.

High streamflow advisories are also in place for several waterways in the North Thompson-Cariboo and also for small to medium-sized watersheds in the East and West Kootenay around Nelson, Cranbrook, Fernie and Golden.