Flood warnings, evacuation alerts due to snowmelt in southeastern B.C.

Flood warnings, evacuation alerts due to snowmelt in southeastern B.C.

Snowmelt has increased with warmer weather and rain is on the way this weekend

Flood alerts remain in place for much of B.C.'s southern Interior, with over 150 properties under evacuation alert as a result.

The River Forecast Centre warns warm weather has led to significant snowmelt over the past few days, and heavy rainfalls is expected in the area in the coming days.

The Upper Colombia and Kootenay River areas are under flood warning, meaning river levels have exceeded bankfull — or will imminently — and adjacent areas will flood.

The North Thompson River, West Kootenay and East Kootenay areas south of Invermere are under flood watch, meaning river levels are rising and approaching bankfull.

The Upper Fraser, South Thompson and Boundary areas are under a high streamflow advisory, meaning minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible as river levels rise, but no major flooding is expected.

Approximately 150 properties in several communities along the Lardeau and Duncan rivers in the Central Kootenay area are under evacuation alert as of Friday evening.

This includes the communities of Cooper Creek, Meadow Creek, Marblehead and Poplar Creek.

An additional six properties have been under evacuation alert in Golden, B.C., since Friday afternoon.

A section of Highway 1 between Revelstoke and Golden reopened Friday following a landslide, which Parks Canada said was triggered by warm weather combined with overnight rain.

A Saturday report from the River Forecast Centre says severe weather, including moderate to heavy rainfall, is expected in the area over the weekend through early Tuesday.

It warns people to stay away from rivers and river banks, and to never drive through floodwaters.

'Highly variable situation': meteorologist

While there are no weather warnings in place for the region, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon says there have been significant showers in the southern Interior over the past few days, and this is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

“It’s been pretty unsettled,” said Sekhon. “It’s a highly variable situation.”

Sekhon said as we enter the wettest time of year for the southern Interior, it’s important for the region to experience rainfall to offset drought.

“It’s that delicate balance,” said Sekhon. “We really rely on those rains to come through, but hopefully not all at once.”

Just on the other side of the provincial border, Environment Canada is warning high river levels and expected rain over the next few days could cause flooding in Banff and Calgary.

Michelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.