Canada: Flooding in British Columbia May 11

Event

Flooding has prompted authorities in British Columbia to issue evacuation orders for over 2700 residents as of Friday, May 11. Among the areas most affected by the flooding are in the Southern Interior of the province, including the Okanagan-Similkameen and Kootenay Boundary regions; the city of Grand Forks (West Kootenay region) has also been particularly affected by the flooding, and has suffered consequent power outages. Some 23 local states of emergency are in effect throughout British Columbia as of Friday.

Flooding has also obstructed and closed several roads and highways in the region. Warmer weather and additional rainfall is forecast for the affected areas in the coming days, which may melt mountain snow and cause further flooding and transportation disruptions, particularly near swollen rivers.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly hit by flooding, prepare for associated transportation disruptions, and adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.