Prince George, B.C. – The Pine Pass is still closed in both directions from the junction with Highway 39, south of Mackenzie, to the junction with Highway 29 in Chetwynd, due to flooding.

Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Coldwells says the south Peace region has received 100-130 mm of rain the past two days and around 115 mm, including some wet snow, through the Pine Pass.

Fortunately, though she says the weather pattern is about to change.

“It’s stopped raining in Fort St John and we’re expecting the rain to sort of peter out during the day so they’ll see perhaps 10-15 mm today then it will finish and they’re looking at a sunny weekend forecast so that’s good news.”

Flooding has also closed Highway 29 in both directions 13 km south of the junction with Highway 97 in Chetwynd because of a washout.

Highway 52, which earlier was closed in both directions due to flooding 10 km south of Arras, is now reduced to single lane alternating traffic.

The flooding has wreaked havoc throughout the region including in Dawson Creek where dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes and sent to an emergency response centre at the city’s fire station.

Meanwhile the BC River Forecast Centre is maintaining a flood warning for the Peace region including streams near the Pine Pass, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John.

It has maintained a flood watch for northeast B.C. including streams near Fort Nelson.

The public is cautioned to stay clear of rivers during rain events due to quickly flowing water and potentially unstable riverbanks.

As for Prince George, Coldwells says the city received 7.1 mm yesterday and estimates a further 10 mm today.

She’s forecasting the rain to finally stop this evening and says things should improve considerably this weekend.

“We’re looking at a pretty good looking weekend, maybe a few showers lingering through Friday but for the weekend, it looks like it’ll be mainly sunny skies and temperatures climbing up to 25 on Father’s Day.”