Flooding triggers evacuation orders for several properties in Cache Creek

Several properties in Cache Creek, B.C.,are being ordered to evacuate due to flooding in the village.

All properties adjacent to the Cache Creek, from Brookside Campground to Quartz Creek, including the Cache Creek Motor Inn, are under evacuation orders, according to Emergency Info B.C.

Theorder currently affects 10 properties, while another three are under evacuation alerts, according to Cache Creek village spokesperson Wendy Coomber.

She says they are still waiting for sandto arrive to help protect properties.

Warnings span central B.C.

Flood warnings now span a wide area of central British Columbia and the B.C. River Forecast Centre says river levels will continue to rise through Wednesday.

Warnings now cover the Cariboo and Chilcotin regions, including rivers and streams around the communities of Williams Lake, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake and Cache Creek.

The warnings were issued Monday for the Nazko and West Road rivers west of Quesnel.

Meanwhile, north of Cache Creek, dozens of more homes in the Cariboo region are being affected by rising waters, according to emergency officials, who say at least 34 homes are reporting wet basements or contaminated wells.

However, noevacuation orders have yet been issued.

Drive BC is also reporting several road closures in rural areas of the Cariboo, due to washouts and mudslides.

According to the centre, a flood warning means "river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result."

A flood watch means "river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur."

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says recent warm temperatures have increased the rate of snowmelt, but because the ground is still frozen much of the water is running overland, increasing the flood risk.

The forecast centre says several of the waterways covered by the flood warnings are flowing at rates seen only every 20 years.