Image Credit: CFJC Today / May 31
One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sudden storms create flooding concerns

Jun 5, 2022 | 6:46 AM

IT DOESN’T TAKE much to change our rivers and creeks from a mild flood concern to “all hands on deck”.

A sudden storm Tuesday that brought heavy rain, is exactly what we don’t need right now.

With a lot of concern about the late-melting snowpack, sudden storms can raise water levels to flood stage very quickly. Especially in areas that have been damaged by wildfires in the past or have flooded previously.

Erosion creates increased danger in the smaller creeks particularly.

While storms like Tuesday’s won’t raise the rivers to a dangerous level at this stage, the Nicola, Clearwater and Bonaparte areas would not be so lucky. Some areas within City boundaries could also be affected.

If this type of storm were to hit in a month, when the freshet is expected to be peaking, it could be a totally different story. The North Thompson snowpack is at 142 per cent of normal, the South Thompson at 113 per cent. The longer it takes to start melting, the greater the chance of flooding.

So this week’s deluge is perhaps a not-so-gentle reminder not to back down on our preparations.

More rain, or a sudden heatwave, could make this summer another tough year for people who have been through this battle before.

Let’s hope Mother Nature, or in this day of reducing gender allocations, plain old Nature, is a little more gentle.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.