Northern BC Flood Update

With the cooler weather and lack of rainfall the past few days, the Bulkley and Skeena River levels have actually been dropping. If the projected forecast for the next several days is in any way correct, this trend will continue.
The 5-day forecast as of today (Saturday) projects consistent highs of about 15-17 degrees celsius and lows of between 4-8 degrees with scattered showers. Those kinds of conditions will only continually lower the river levels.
The only way the flooding conditions will increase now is:
1. A long-term rain storm hovers over northern BC.
2. The forecasting is wrong and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees celsius for about a week in duration starting as early as Monday, melting the rest of the snowpack at rapid rates.

Otherwise, the current conditions will slowly melt the huge snowpack in certain mountain ranges and the rivers will continually drop to safer levels. Judging by the Satellite maps, that will be the case, and this whole saga will come to an end.

The issue of living or even building on floodplains is being raised here once again, as it does in any flood story. I don't know how much more cheaper housing on floodplains is, but is the risk really worth it?
I've heard some people complaining about there not being enough warning. How much warning does one need when there are massive amounts of snow in the mountains and a warm spring? This flooding or potential of it was no suprise to me and to many others. How can people be so ignorant?
The funding for all of this relief should not be thrown upon the government or us the taxpayer either. The bottom line is, people make a choice to live in a danger zone and will pay the consequences for it sooner or later.
For God sakes! Move to higher ground!
Unfortunately, these kinds of natural disasters are soon forgotten, and housing projects will continue on these flood plains. It's all about the almighty dollar. And mankind will continue to buy into it without using their brains. Several years from now the same thing will happen all over again and the same people will be bitching about it.


T Tags: Smithers Flooding Fools

Morricetown Canyon Flooding Before/After

These images are of Moricetown Canyon, a tourist trap, about 30 minutes north of Smithers, where the Bulkley River squeezes through a narrow canyon. The top image is of the river at it's lowest, which is usually in the late summer. The lower pic was taken (the same spot) very recently.

Unfortunately, the area we were sandbagging recently is becoming flooded regardless, as the river overflowed it's banks downstream of the dike and is working it's way back. The evacuations are well under way.
But like I said before, it's the other towns that have mass populations living on river flood plains that are the real concern. Terrace BC has declared a state of emergency I hear.
The Bulkley River heads NW to Terrace.
The Fraser River (Prince George) heads south, where the problems will increasingly arise as this mass of water makes its way down to southwestern BC.
Thanks to Beaner for the images.





























When I say that other areas have it worse than we do, here are a couple of pictures of the Skeena River flooding in Terrace and as well the highway to Prince Rupert being overcome by H2O.

















T Tags: Smithers Bulkley River Flooding Pictures

Waiting For Flooding No More!

The Bulkley River has gone over it's banks in a few places in the Smithers area already. Our Par 3 golf course is now submerged.
Today I left work early to help my cousins and many other volunteers sandbag the banks of the river to help prevent about 20 homes from getting washed out.
The hot weather on the weekend followed by the wet system that moved in on Sunday have made problems worse and is only going to get worse yet. The peak of this flooding is estimated to be 2 weeks away still. We could very well see the worst flooding from this river in recorded history. Possibly.
While my sympathy for people living on flood plains only goes so far, it is quite saddening to see the potential devastation here.
Hopefully, the dikes that we put up today hold up. But they may not.

If they don't, I'll capture as many images as possible, and use the proper setting on my wife's camera this time (hence the black and white!)
CTV news made an appearance at the worst site today. The footage is limited, but no kidding, the flooding in Mexico is much worse!
All I know is that my arms and back are sore right now from sandbagging, but the worst may be yet to come!
Evacuations may happen as early as tomorrow, as the river levels are relentlessly increasing daily.


T Tags: Smithers Bulkley River Flooding Images

Waiting For Flooding

Communities and home-owners along the banks of the Fraser, Bulkey and Skeena Rivers in British Columbia are on evacuation warning. The earliest evacuations could begin on Tuesday in northern BC, as a low-pressure storm system moves over B.C from the southwest, probably dumping large amounts of rain.(pictured).
The 33 degree celsius-plus weather has already raised the rivers by several feet this weekend, as there is still a lot of snow in the many mountain ranges along Western BC. Way too much snow.
If the storm system brings a lot of rain and the temperatures rise again later in the week, we could see the biggest flooding in this area in years. The river levels are forecasted to be the highest since 1972.






For now, even in my hometown of Smithers, residents flock to the rivers occasionally to check the levels and watch the water come up. Honestly, our dark, curious sides actually want to see nature inflict it's wrath. Hell, I love natural disasters even if it is at the expense of others' belongings, but never their lives.
It really doesn't pay to live on a flood plain with a river bank that is 4 feet high or less. And it is abundantly clear at times like this.

CTV News footage of floodings in Passmore, BC.









T Tags: Smithers Flooding Bulkley+River Warning