By Andru McCracken
Dave Campbell the head of the BC River Forecast Centre has told reporters that our region could get the bulk of precipitation from a big storm system moving through.
“The bull’s eye of this rainfall event is largely almost north of Kamloops up through Clearwater, Blue River, Valemount (and) Robson Valley,” said Campbell.
Nothing is certain, but Environment Canada is forecasting between 20 and 40 mm from now until Thursday.
That could mean the upper Fraser and Thompson Rivers reach 1972 levels.
“Certainly the presence of that scenario and risk of that scenario is really what’s prompting a lot of this early warning,” he said.
Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson said public works staff is closely monitoring Swift Creek where the village collects its water. A June 2012 highwater event compromised the creeks banks and nearly took out the water intake system, complications from that event later took the water system of line for a number of days.
Torgerson said the impact will likely be felt downstream.
“We’re on top of the world,” he said. “I wish my colleagues the best.”
He said that the village in conjunction with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George have flown the major basins and tributaries in the region and said that there were no blockages or threats upstream.
Torgerson reminded residents that the village is currently at level 3 water restrictions, and counts on citizens not using too much water.
“I know my potatoes are floating,” he said.
The mayor said he had hoped to open up his COVID-19 a wee bit to have friends over for a barbeque today, July 1st, Canada Day.
“Mother Nature thought better,” he said.
For those who currently have access to clean, treated water pouring forth from the tap, it may be worthwhile setting a little aside in case of an emergency.
