Heavy rain could flood NE B.C. again

Emergency officials warn there could soon be more flooding in north-eastern B.C. after a heavy rainfall warning was issued for the North and South Peace River regions.

Environment Canada says 50 to 80 millimetres of rain could fall on the region by late Friday night and an additional 10 to 20 millimetres could fall on Saturday.

The River Forecast Centre has also issued a high streamflow advisory for the central and southern Peace River Districts, and warns streams and rivers are expected to rise quickly after the rain.

"Although most river systems in the Peace have dropped back down to the water levels prior to the flood event on June 25?28, soil conditions remain saturated and streams are expected to respond quickly to this additional precipitation," said the advisory.

"River levels in the region are expected to rise, with the potential for high flows from Friday into the weekend. The amount that rivers rise will depend on the amount and location of rainfall received," it said.

Damage still not repaired

People from Chetwynd to Dawson Creek are still recovering from damaging floods less than two weeks ago when 150 millimetres fell on the region.

On Monday the Peace River District declared a State of Emergency over parts of the region in order to give officials the right to go on to private land and clear debris and flood damage, and to activate provincial disaster relief funding.

Officials say more than 230 homes were damaged and highways and roads were damaged or washed out in about 150 place during the flooding 12 days ago.

Highway 97, which was closed by the flooding and washouts, only re-opened to single-lane traffic between Chetwynd and Mackenzie Junction with a pilot car on Thursday.

Travellers are advised to expect major delays or use detour routes through Hinton, Alberta, when travelling from Prince George to Dawson Creek.