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Evacuation alerts issued for Old Remo, New Remo, Dutch Valley, and Usk

Flood risk for the greater Terrace area “continues to decrease” as city proceeds with response plan
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The ferry at Usk east of Terrace has been pulled from service on the Skeena River for now because of rising water levels. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) has issued evacuation alerts for Old Remo, New Remo, Dutch Valley, and Usk.

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) director Lina Gasser alerted citizens to the potential for serious widespread flooding in a statement this afternoon due to risk from above normal snow levels, warm weather, and precipitation. The Usk ferry is no longer operational.

The regional district advised businesses in low-lying areas and areas which have experienced flooding in the past to flood proof their structures, move valuable items to higher ground, and find alternate accommodations in case of an evacuation.

The regional district is advising residents not to approach the riverbank as a rising river is “very dangerous” and so as not to impede emergency workers.

Members of the public are strongly reminded not to drive through areas near the river that may be experiencing rising waters nearby if they are not residents of the area.

“If there is an emergency, crews need to be able to access the area and additional unnecessary traffic will hamper their ability to do so.”

In the meantime, City of Terrace spokesperson Kate Lautens, also this afternoon, said flood risk for the greater Terrace area “continues to decrease” based on the provincial River Forecast Centre’s latest CLEVER modelling for the Skeena River at Usk, released this morning.

Water levels are now predicted to peak at volumes likely to occur once in a 5-year period by Monday, June 6. Because the upper range of this prediction still shows the potential for 20-year volumes the city is still proceeding with its current flood plans “should the modelling change again to be less favourable.”

There is no change to the plans to close Ferry Island and Fisherman’s Memorial Park to the public as a preventative measure on Friday.

Sandbags and sand are available to RDKS and City of Terrace residents on a self-serve basis at the City of Terrace Public Works yard, 5003 Graham Ave., from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and at the Thornhill Volunteer Fire Department, 3128 Highway 16 East from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Thornhill location may change to address areas of need as the high-water event develops.

A sandbagging machine is expected to be available before Friday, June 3, at the Vacant log sort area at the northwest corner of Keith and Kenney, follow signed access off Keith or Kenney. Operating hours will be communicated and based on flood severity.

An evacuation alert is cautionary. In the case of an evacuation order a reception centre is planned to be at the Thornhill Community Center at 3091 Century Street.

READ MORE: Terrace activates Emergency Operations Centre due to flood risk


 


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