Mudslides, flooding close highways in southeastern B.C. - Action News
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British Columbia

Mudslides, flooding close highways in southeastern B.C.

Heavy rains and torrential rivers continue to cause evacuations, mudslides, road closures and widespread flooding across large areas of southeastern B.C, and southwestern Alberta.

Highways 1, 3, 31, 31A all affected

Highway 3 at Michel Creek on Thursday, June 20, as a spring storm drenches southeast B.C. and southwest Alberta. (Alex Hanson)

Heavy rains and torrential rivers continue to cause evacuations, mudslides, road closures and widespread flooding across large areas of southeastern B.C, and southwestern Alberta.

On Thursday night up to 100,000 people in Calgary were facing evacuation as flood waters continued to rise in the city and surrounding communities.

In B.C. more than 130 millimetres of rain fell in some regions over the past two days, forcing the evacuation of 130 homes at the Mountain View Mobile Home Park in Sparwood.

Nearby, crews tried to shore up Highway 3 against the rising waters, but traffic was reduced to a single lane.Drivers are warned the road could close completely if conditions worsen.

In Fairmont Hot Springs, backed-up culverts pushed waterin to yards and streets and forced the evacuation of a campgrounds andsome homes.

Rising waters are affecting Highway 3 east of Sparwood. (Alex Hanson)

Highway 93 east of Radium to Castle Junction was closed due to multiple washouts and debris flow in Alberta.

The Trans Canada Highway 1 east of Golden remained closed due to multiple washouts and debris flow sites in Alberta. DriveBC suggest driversuse Highway 5 or Highway 16as an alternative routes.

On Highway 31 north of Kaslo, two mudslides have reduced traffic to a single lane.

Highway 31A from New Denver to Kaslo has been closed by a washout.

Environment Canada is forecasting further rainfall amounts offive to 10 millimetres before the rain tapers off to a few showers as the system weakens overnightThursday.

B.C. River Forecast Centre advisories

FloodWatch for:

  • West and East Kootenay.
  • Upper Columbia (smaller tributary rivers).
  • Lower Columbia (smaller tributary rivers).

High Streamflow Advisory for:

  • Thompson Region (including the North Thompson, Salmon River, Shuswap River, Eagle River and surrounding areas).
  • Okanagan (including Mission Creek).
  • Boundary (including Kettle River and Granby River).
  • Upper Columbia (Kicking Horse River)

With files from the CBC's Bob Keating