Skeena Rages, Flood Waters Rise

By 250 News

Flood plain map  for Terrace courtesy City of Terrace

The Minister for Public Safety, John Les, has completed his tour of the Terrace area, and says  it is obvious there is a serious  situation there.

"CN rail is submerged in some areas,  in Thorhnhill, people have tried their best to  protect their homes, but the water is coming in anyway, there is a real human story being told  in these places."

Officials say the flood plain map shows  areas which are prone to flooding, and right now, the areas in blue are already under water.  It is thought that if the Skeena rises  another 8-10 inches,  150 acres  could be  under water.

Evacuation  orders have been issued  for  residents of Braun's Island .

Wes Patterson with the Kitimat Stikine Regional District says  residents of Thornhill have also been told to leave their homes and to report to the Thornhill community centre.

There are  a full 260  homes  on evacuation alert.

Prince Rupert  and Terrace are already showing signs of stress when it coms to  supplies.  In Prince Rupert, there are reports of line ups for gas, and a shortage of  produce and supplies  in stores.  Minister Les says  the province will do whatever necessary to ensure people in the communities have the supplies they need.

For  Terrace , the only way in is by air,  as that community has been cut off by the rock slide to the east, and flooding to the west.  That flooding has also  cut  Prince Rupert off from it's normal land  ties.

Les says the flood situation will likely  stretch out in Terrace for  another couple of weeks, "I would prefer it  take longer as that  would mean  the situation wouldn't see all the  water coming down at one time.  We will work   to reopen the highway as quickly  as possible.  We are always in touch with the local officials, and if there are needs (supplies) we will address those needs."  Les was not able to  say how long it would take to mobilize  shipments  to be  flown into the region.

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