A flood watch has been issued for the Lower Thompson area amid this weekend’s warm temperatures leading to faster snowmelt rates.
In an updated bulletin on Sunday morning (April 30) the River Forecast Centre said the areas of concern include Skeetchestn, Cache Creek and the surrounding area, Deadman River, Criss Creek, and the Bonaparte River.
The Nazko River and West Road River are also under a flood watch.
“A strong upper ridge that brought hot temperatures across the province is breaking down. An upper low is expected to bring unsettled weather and showers [Sunday], particularly for the South Interior,” the bulletin reads. “Another period of warmer temperatures is expected next week, with well above average temperatures expected.”
Getting really bad here in Cache Creek pic.twitter.com/NyTjlu7mrz
— Phil S (@phildobc) April 30, 2023
The update comes as many of B.C.’s Interior rivers remain under a high streamflow advisory from Friday. These include:
• The upper Fraser River, including plateaus around Quesnel, Williams Lake, Lhoosk’uz Dene (including Baker Creek, Cottonwood River, San Jose River) and surrounding areas
• South Interior including remaining areas in the Lower Thompson, Salmon River, and Okanagan
The River Forecast Centre has UPGRADED to a FLOOD WATCH for Lower Thompson (incl. Cache & Criss Creek, Deadman & Bonaparte Rivers & surrounding areas). The Nazko & West Road Rivers MAINTAIN a Flood Watch. More info: https://t.co/qleRNXQm5d (PDF) #BCFlood
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) April 30, 2023
In mid-elevation areas, the forecast centre said that snowmelt in the 25-to-50-millimetre range was seen on Saturday (April 29).
“Flows in areas around the Nazko River, West Road (Blackwater) River, Bonaparte River, Deadman River, and Criss Creek are currently in the two-year to 10-year range with additional rises forecast today and into next week; flooding is possible in these rivers and in similar ungauged rivers near to these areas.”
People are advised to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks. This includes avoiding fishing, swimming, boating, or hiking near these rivers.
@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@blackpress.ca
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