The BC River Forecast Centre has upgraded the Upper Fraser River through Prince George and adjacent tributaries to a flood warning as a result of a weather forecast calling for heavy rain in the region.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement this afternoon (June 30) with a potential for 40 mm of rain in store for Canada Day.
Potential Thunderstorms could also bring in an additional 25 mm.
Water levels in the South Fort George area are reading 8.86m, which is considered ‘full’, says BC River Forecast Centre Head Dave Campbell.
“Our current modelling is indicating flows could reach to a level experienced in 1972, particularly in the Upper Fraser Region and Prine George,” said Campbell during a news conference this afternoon.
“Rivers are extremely high and unusually high for this time of year and there’s certainly to create dynamic flow; we expect riverbanks to be very unstable.”
A flood watch has also been placed on the Fraser River for its mainstem section between Prince George and Boston Bar.
More information is available on the BC River Forecast Centre’s website.
The River Forecast Centre has UPGRADED to a Flood Warning for the Upper Fraser River and Quesnel River. Also UPGRADED to a Flood Watch for the Chilcotin River and Fraser River mainstem. More details at: https://t.co/OwmHqxG1JW #BCFlood #Cariboo
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) June 30, 2020