Flood warnings continue throughout B.C.'s Central Interior

Much of B.C.'s Central Interior is dealing with flood warnings and high streamflow advisories, as rivers reach peak levels due to melting snow.

B.C.'s River Forecast Centre is maintaining flood warnings for tributary rivers and streams around the Chilako region and southwest of Prince George, as well as the Cariboo Chilcotin region, including Williams Lake, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Cache Creek and surrounding areas.

A flood warning means river levels are rising and will approach or exceed river banks, causing flooding to nearby areas.

High streamflow advisories are in effect for Nazko River and West Road River, in addition to Dean River and Salmon River near Salmon Arm.

These advisories warn of rising river levels, but no major flooding.

State of local emergency

The flooding has pushed the Cariboo Regional District, Quesnel, Williams Lake, and Cache Creek to declare states of local emergency.

Evacuation alerts and orders have gone out for pockets of residents over the past week.

The River Forecast Centre says snowmelt rates have eased over the past few days, so water levels are holding steady or dropping slightly.

It says based on upcoming weather patterns, flows are not expected to rise suddenly.

The public is advised to avoid fast-flowing rivers and unstable river banks during this period of high streamflows.