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Northwest evacuation order lifted

The level of the Skeena River has been dropping the last few days

THE KITIMAT-Stikine Regional District has lifted the evacuation order for an area of Old Remo, following a significant lowering of the water level of the Skeena River over the past two days.

“The order has been lifted for that portion of Robin road,” said regional district emergency co-ordinator Wes Patterson. The evacuation order, brought in Monday, pertained to the Robin Road North of Alwyn Creek.

“There's still rain in the forecast, so we're keeping the alerts up for now,” he said. “That may change later today.”

Evacuation alerts were earlier put in place for Dutch Valley, Old Kitselas Road, parts of Old Remo, Usk North, and New Remo below the Whitebottom turnoff.

The regional district's emergency operation reception centre at the Terrace Sportsplex closed effective noon, yesterday.

“Emergency operations are still active,” said Patterson. “But they are being dealt with out of the district office.”

The district is continuing emergency repair work at Dutch Valley, he said.

In addition to the regional district officials ending their evacuation order, the provincial River Forecast Centre had downgraded its flood watch status for the Skeena River.

The status is now at a high streamflow advisory. That's defined as no major flooding being expected.

The Skeena River at Usk has dropped 1.2 metres from yesterday to today.

Still, provincial officials are remaining cautious.

"Additional rises are possible if rainfall is heavy in the watershed over the next few days,” forecast centre officials said in a release this morning.

Residents with questions or requiring assistance are asked to contact the regional district office at 250-615-6100 during business hours.