Evacuation orders issued for nearly 2,800 people due to flooding in B.C.’s Boundary region

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has expanded its evacuation orders due to flooding, for a second time on Thursday.

The homes are being threatened by floodwater from the Kettle and Granby Rivers.

Residents of more than 1,390 properties in the area have been told to leave their homes immediately, including properties in Grand Forks, Rock Creek, Beaverdell and Carmi areas.

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Thursday’s evacuations bring the total number of properties under evacuation order in the region to 1,158.

Evacuees are being told to make their way to the Emergency Social Services Reception Centres in Midway at the Midway Community Centre, and in Grand Forks at the Grand Forks Curling Rink.

The regional district said that as of Thursday morning, all evacuation alerts have been upgraded to evacuation orders within the 200-year floodplain.

“Water levels have exceeded the levels seen in 1948, and flows are likely to rise through the remainder of the day and overnight,” the regional district said on Thursday.

Water levels in the area are not expected to peak for 24 to 48 hours.