Terrace and its surrounding areas are dealing with the fallout of flooding as the water levels of the Skeena River begin to recede after peaking just before the May long weekend.
According to Environment Canada’s Hydrometric Data, the Skeena River at Usk surged to 6,120 cubic metres per second at 7:50 a.m. on May 17. This marks the river’s highest flow rate since 2012 when it registered 6,130 cubic metres per second.
The heatwave that gripped the region last week ignited the flooding, with temperatures soaring to nearly 30ºC for four consecutive days. This extreme heat, the highest since a 1925 record, led to a swift melt of snowpack in the surrounding mountains and an unprecedented swell in local rivers. Terrace witnessed temperatures reaching a record-breaking 29.6ºC on May 15.
The flooding sparked a swift succession of evacuation alerts, orders, and emergency declarations:
On May 15, the City of Terrace announced the closure of selected areas of Ferry Island and Fisherman’s Park, setting up barricades to obstruct access.
By May 16 at 8:30 a.m., the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine issued Evacuation Alerts for Old Remo and New Remo. Shortly after, at 11:00 a.m., an Evacuation Alert was issued for Usk. This was upgraded to an Evacuation Order for Old Remo and New Remo at 4:00 p.m. on the same day.
Later on May 16, at 3:45 p.m., an Evacuation Alert was declared by the City of Terrace for a number of areas, including Ferry Island Campground and several streets. At 4:00 p.m., the Regional District announced a State of Local Emergency in Electoral Areas B and C, covering an extensive list of communities.
READ MORE: Flood warning downgraded in B.C.’s Skeena Region as river levels start to recede
On May 17, an Evacuation Alert was issued for Brauns Island at 10:30 a.m., followed by the City of Terrace declaring a State of Local Emergency at 12:30 p.m.
As of 4:00 p.m. on May 17, the City of Terrace shared that “water levels are forecasted to level off and remain steady until May 23rd, at which point they are forecasted to start going down.” Those with reservations at the now-closed Ferry Island Campground have been offered alternative accommodation at the Thornhill Fair Grounds.
In the following days, more measures were taken to mitigate the effects of the flooding and provide relief to those impacted.
On May 18, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine secured a Via Rail passenger train stop at North Usk to aid the evacuation efforts. Residents stranded due to the closure of the Usk Cable/Aerial car were urged to board the train that arrived at 5:40 p.m. No prior booking was necessary, according to the Regional District’s announcement.
As floodwaters began to recede, several evacuation orders were progressively lifted.
The Regional District announced on May 19 that the evacuation order for New Remo — excluding the areas of 2026, 2031 and 2045 Royal Rd., and 6202 and 6206 Kilby Rd. — was rescinded, although an evacuation alert remained in effect. The next day, the evacuation order for Old Remo — from the intersection of Whitebottom Rd. south to the intersection of Robin Rd. and Old Remo Rd. — was similarly rescinded, while maintaining an evacuation alert.
By May 23, the situation had improved considerably, leading to the rescission of the evacuation orders for the communities of New Remo and Old Remo at 11 a.m. The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine also rescinded its State of Local Emergency declaration, as well as all remaining evacuation orders and alerts at 1 p.m. Later in the day, at 2:30 p.m., the City of Terrace followed suit, lifting its State of Local Emergency and rescinding the evacuation alerts issued on May 16. Ferry Island and Fisherman’s Park remained closed due to lingering safety concerns.
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
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