By Greg Fry

CRD urges residents to prepare for spring melt

Apr 25, 2018 | 10:20 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE — The Cariboo Regional District is preparing to respond to any flood-related emergencies and says its residents should be doing the same.

The concern has been prompted by the spring snowmelt said the CRD’s Emergency Operation Centre Director and Chief Administrative Officer John MacLean.

“This weekend, we were actively monitoring higher than normal stream flows in the region and we are prepared to respond to any flood-related emergencies. High stream flows are just one example of the impacts we could see from spring melt in the Cariboo.”

He says the CRD could also experience debris flows, high water tables or landslides during freshet.

“We’re also asking people to use caution around rivers, streams and culverts and urge children not to play in those areas.”

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The CRD notes assessing your property and buildings for potential drainage issues is an important proactive measure while another important step is having emergency plans in place like preplanning to insure family members and making plans for pets and livestock in the event of an evacuation.

According to the BC River Forecast Centre, the snowpack is currently sitting at 110 per cent of normal for the Cariboo region though snowpack is just one indication of flood risk. Others include increased temperatures, rain events and fire.

“Disturbances such as fire affect the hydrological response of streams, rivers and lakes relevant to potential flooding. Specifically, flows from snowmelt dominated watersheds impacted by fires tend to be greater and peak earlier as compared to undisturbed areas, even under normal weather conditions. Many of the regions affected by burns last summer have above normal snowpacks this year.”

If you experience floding, call the Provincial Emergency Reporting line at 1-800-663-3456. For other concerns, call the CRD at 1-800-665-1636.