UPDATE:
The City of Prince George has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) due to high water levels along the Nechako and Fraser Rivers.
While no evacuation alerts or orders in are in effect, the EOC is opening as a precaution to prepare for possible flooding to homeowners and businesses.
According to the City, the activation is at Level One, meaning the EOC will have access to provincial government emergency funding if necessary.
Communication Officer Mike Kellett says this is just a precautionary measure.
“There are projections that we’ve seen that indicate the water could go up. That’s the whole point of declaring and Emergency Operation Centre at a level one so that you are ready for anything mother nature might throw at you.”
“Basically we are in contact with the provincial government and their river forecast, but as well, fire rescue will be monitoring through the weekend and going along certain spots of the river, where flooding traditionally occurs.”
Paddlewheel and Cottonwood Island Parks have been closed off in certain sections, which includes the Heritage River trail from the Canoe launch to Taylor Drive.
PG Fire Rescue will be monitoring the water levels through the weekend.
For more information, you can click here.
The City has activated its Emergency Operations Centre due to the flood risk from rising river water. The City is not issuing warnings, alerts, or evacuation orders to homeowners or businesses at this time. https://t.co/QKSdizXcqF #BCFloods pic.twitter.com/ocGB1TpgUL
— Prince George, BC (@CityofPG) May 11, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY:
Days after closing Cottonwood Island Park, the City of Prince George has noticed rising water levels in other areas.
Paddlewheel Park, near Queensway Boulevard and off Hamilton Avenue, has been closed as of this morning as the Fraser River is overflowing and large puddles have been popping up.
City crews have set up signs and barricades around the park alerting residents which parts are blocked off and will keep monitoring the levels.
At Cottonwood, the canoe launch to North of the Railway Bridge continues to be closed for pedestrians, who are being asked to take care when walking through parks near large water basins during this time.
For more information, you can click here.
River Forecast Centre has updated Flood Warnings & Watches for Bulkley, Nautley, Nechako and Dean Rivers. https://t.co/uo8V2Luczu #BCflood #2018freshet
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) May 11, 2018