Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General urges preparedness for flood season
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British Columbians are urged to be prepared for the spring flood season.
The Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General says the risk of flooding is elevated this spring due to an above-normal snowpack. The province says all of BC faces risk, particularly the Interior and the North.
According to the Ministry, BC’s most severe floods usually occur in the spring and early summer when melting snow and rain combine, but flooding can also be caused by storm surges, ice jams, or damages to structures like dikes or dams.
The River Forecast Centre is predicting slightly above normal runoff in the Upper Fraser. As of April 1, snowpack stood at 132 per cent of normal in the Upper Fraser West basin, 122 per cent in the Upper Fraser East and 119 per cent in the Nechako. Whether there will be freshet flooding is not based on snowpack alone, the RFC said. A sudden jump from cool to persistently hot weather, particularly in May could exacerbate flood risk. Dry weather and seasonable temperatures would lessen the potential threat. British Columbians are urged to follow all directions of local authorities and take steps to prepare for the possibility of flooding.
Posted:
April 17, 2021
B.C. residents urged to prepare for spring flood season
The risk of spring flooding is elevated in many parts of B.C. due to an above normal snowpack.
The entire province faces risk, particularly in parts of the Interior and the north, an April 17 Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Emergency Management BC media release noted.
British Columbians are urged to follow all directions of local authorities and take steps to prepare for the possibility of flooding.
B.C.’s most severe floods usually occur in spring and early summer when melting snow and rain combine, but they can also be caused by storm surges, ice jams or damage to structures like dikes or dams.