Update: 7:20 p.m.Thursday, April 23

The previously issued evacuation alert has been upgraded to an order.

An evacuation order is in effect for 40 properties on the Upper Mud River Road area.

The order has been issued as a result of flooding and increasing high water in the area.

Manager of External Relations, Renee McCloskey told MyPGNow.com the recommendation was made after a brief assessment by the Ministry of Environment.

“They were seeing some significant rising happening and we anticipated that the water was going to be impacting access to that area imminently and so we wanted to communicate with the residents to get out of there before they lost access.”

McCloskey isn’t sure how long the order will last.

“Obviously, there are a lot of factors at play when you are dealing with Mother Nature so that’s going to depend on temperatures, the weather, and rain as well as how quickly that water is moving and rising so it’s hard to put a time stamp on it.”

Those in the order area are asked to leave the area immediately.

Residents within the Evacuation Order area are advised accommodation is available for those who need it at either:

• Sandman Signature Prince George Hotel located at 2990 Recreation Place, Prince George, BC; or
• Bon Voyage Inn located at 4222 Highway 16 W, Prince George, BC.

Residents in the evacuation order area are reminded of the following points:

• If you need transportation assistance from the area please advise the Regional District of Fraser-
Fort George at 250-960-4400 or Emergency Management BC at 1-800-663-3456.

• Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help.

• Take your 72-hour Emergency Kit and any critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available.

Original Story:

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has issued an Evacuation Alert for 39 properties in the Upper Mud River Road area following concerns of flooding and high water.

One additional property saw an evacuation order.

“The message to residents in the area is this could be a rapidly changing situation, so you should be taking steps now to prepare yourself,” explained Rene McCloskey, the Regional District’s Public Information Officer.

Those in the alert area are asked to prepare for a potential evacuation, including securing important papers and valuables, preparing 72-hour-survival kits, and make arrangements for pets and livestock.

The area last saw flooding back in May 2018.

Water levels are currently rising roughly 1cm every 15 minutes, meaning that the May 2018 water level would be exceeded by sometime this evening.

“We’re dealing with mother nature so we don’t know for sure what may happen next, but certainly all indications are that the river is on the rise quite quickly,” McCloskey added.

Members of the public are reminded to exercise caution near rivers and streams as water flow can cause bank erosion.

More information about flood-preparation can be found on the Regional District’s website.