Despite projections, last weekend was a mild on in Grand Forks with little of the projected flooding taking place.
After flooding from May 5-7, a state of local emergency was declared by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary for municipalities and rural areas. The RDKB activated its Emergency Operations Centre in its Grand Forks office in preparation from potential “100 year flood levels” the following weekend.
In a media availability on Friday, RDKB chair and Area C/Christina Lake director Grace McGregor, as well as City of Grand Forks mayor frank Konrad, noted that residents should be prepared for significant flooding, potentially even higher than the previous weekend.
The EOC was closely monitoring precipitation, snow pack and river levels and was advising residents to prepare in advance of potential flooding. The district also issued an evacuation alert for the Manly Meadows area in case flooding should become extreme and cut off road access.
However, despite the dire warnings, good news came Saturday afternoon after the River Forecast Centre downgraded its predictions to well below previous predicted flood levels.
“River and stream levels in the Boundary forecasts downgraded significantly this morning,” said an information bulletin released by the RDKB on Saturday. “River levels expected to be well below last weekend’s levels.”
However, residents are still being urged to check the River forecast Centre regularly and keep sand bags in place.
“Although the predicted floods will not happen this weekend, spring melt and runoff is not over,” reads the bulletin. “Snowpacks at high elevations remain well above seasonal averages. If temperature rises quickly or heavy rains fall, river levels could rise quickly.”
Residents can go online to the rdkb.com to get information about disaster financial relief for flood damage. The latest river information can be found online through the River Forecast Centre at bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca