Evacuation Alerts Issued In Prince George

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:50 PM

Prince George, B.C.- Evacuation alerts are being issued to residents on both sides of Farrell Street this afternoon and evening in response to rising water along the Fraser River.

Warm weekend weather combined with rainfall throughout the Upper Fraser watershed resulted in waters rising quickly throughout the watershed. River levels are expected to reach 9.5 metres later this evening. The official flood level at the South Fort George gauge is 9.4 metres.

Monitoring of river levels and flow rates will continue throughout the evening and the morning hours along the Fraser. Levels are expected to remain around the 9.5-metre mark for the next few days. In response to this, the City has activated its Emergency Operations Centre.

No state of local emergency has been declared and no evacuation orders have been issued.

Lower temperatures are predicted for the next few days. However, rain events throughout the upper Fraser watershed are predicted to continue and the amount of rain might impact river levels in Prince George.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:50 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: tinyapplecork on May 20 2008 5:37 PM

Hmm..so they aren't actually doing anything useful...surprise, surprise.
That's right just put your taxpayers on notice...don't protect them.
Sheesh...I am trying not to get angry. Very frustrating...guess officials haven't learned anything from last year after all. Too busy "studying" the issue, I suppose.
Maybe if they stopped acting like deer caught in headlights the problem would be solved.

Posted by: NMG on May 20 2008 7:09 PM

Wouldn't the act of monitoring river levels, advising the public as to potential danger and eventual evacuation if needed, be consdered protection?

Posted by: tinyapplecork on May 20 2008 10:37 PM

I could stand there too and monitor and warn...how does that protect taxpayers homes from flooding???

Posted by: wavoes on May 21 2008 8:42 AM

hey tinyapplecork...this is not the first summer in history that the fraser may flood. these people who live along the river have chosen to do so...what should we do change their mind.

it is just like living on the red river in manitoba...it floods EVERY year. or living on the southern tip of florida...guess what there is a hurricane..OMG!!!!!

And how should the taxpayer's dollars be spent to protect these people. Maybe we can pay Ironman to come vaporize some water

Posted by: tinyapplecork on May 21 2008 3:45 PM

"...this is not the first summer in history that the fraser may flood. "

Exactly! This area was zoned by the city. The city collects lots of tax dollars from prime real estate along the rivers. My contention is and always has been, if one is aware of an ongoing problem you seek and implement a permanent solution.
More tax dollars have been spent addressing emergencies that could have been spent on dikes, dredging and proper river maintenance.
If the city wants to keep this area as park, residential and industrially zoned they must, imo, protect their taxpayers. Not leave them up the river without a paddle. If the city deems that this area is no longer suitable, due to flooding, then they need to address it. As for homeowners and business owners along the rivers, because it was zoned for this use why should they suffer? Yes of course they are free to leave the area. They may just do so. Either way, this is a huge issue and requires a permanent solution. A decision must be made.