Flooding fears have now hit the Fraser Valley with more than 250 homes on evacuation alert in Langley Township.
The melting snowpack has raised water levels in the Fraser River.
WATCH: Evacuation alerts spread to Metro Vancouver
The Mission Gauge showed a depth of 5.7 metres. Officials say if that reaches 6.3 metres, people would be forced out.
The concern is for more homes along unprotected flood plain areas of north west Langley – Glen Valley, Bray Island and McMillan Island.
READ MORE: All eyes on the Fraser River with high water levels set to match 2012
A highstream flow advisory was issued for the Fraser River on May 10.
The City of Abbotsford issued an evacuation alert for the “unprotected area north of the CN Railway in Glen Valley” on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to remain high in the coming days, meaning people should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
“They should have plans in place and be prepared for an evacuation just in case the water rises as in the projections,” Ramin Seifi, general manager of engineering and community development for the Township of Langley, told Global News Tuesday.
“This is not an order.”
WATCH: The province’s flood crisis has finally reached southwestern B.C. where an evacuation alert is in effect for parts of the township of Langley. Geoff Hastings reports.
Barnston Island
On Wednesday morning, the Metro Vancouver Regional District placed Barnston Island under an evacuation alert.
The alert is a precautionary measure and Barnston Island residents are not required to leave at this time, but are advised to prepare for the possibility of an evacuation order.
Access to Barnston Island is now restricted to residents, businesses and those with a family connection. Barnston Island Regional Park is also closed.
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Residents of the island are being asked to:
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- Gather essential items, such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable documents, immediate care needs and pets, and be prepared to leave quickly.
- Know the location of all household members and determine a place to meet if separated during a potential evacuation.
- Prepare to evacuate children, plus disabled or elderly persons.
- Begin relocating large pets and livestock to a safe area immediately. No large animals will be allowed on the Barnston Ferry once an Evacuation Order is issued.
- Arrange accommodation for your family, if possible, in the event of an evacuation. Emergency lodging will be provided if necessary.
- If time permits, consider taking steps to protect your property from damage.
Chilliwack
Meanwhile, in Chilliwack, people have been forced out of three homes in Carey Point, while nearby residents are on evacuation alert.
The three homes are not protected by the city’s dyke system.
The City of Chiliwack says the current provincial forecast is not a cause for concern for residents within the City of Chilliwack dyke system. The city will continue to monitor river levels and advise of any potential changes.
READ MORE: ‘More needs to be done’: Frustration in Merritt over lack of flood preparations
Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, officials are appealing to the federal government to bring in the military as locals wait for a second surge of flooding.
The community has already been hit hard by flooding and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says water levels are now rising in the Granby River.
At least 1,500 homes in the district remain on evacuation order.
More than 2,600 homes across the province are on evacuation alert.
WATCH: The City of Grand Forks remains on edge Wednesday morning as residents are bracing for more flooding following last week’s rising waters. John Hua is live in Grand Forks:
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has closed off access to the Ruckle neighbourhood in Grand Forks due to water levels rising. The RDKB said no one is allowed in the area. Police are patrolling the road blocks and restricting access.
An evacuation order for the Ruckle area went into effect on May 10.
Osoyoos
In the Okanagan, concerned citizens gathered Tuesday night to get some answers about the flooding crisis.
Osoyoos Lake has levelled off but with more snow melt expected, it is predicted to reach historic highs later this week.
Disaster assistance is available to some homeowners at this time, but it’s limited to primary residences.
WATCH: About 100 residents attend flood information meeting in Osoyoos:
“I think we’re going to get very close to the level of ’72,’” International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control member Brian Symonds said. “I think we’re going to be a little over 917 feet (above sea level), give or take a bit. It really will depend on the weather we get.”
The town’s sewer system is no longer at risk of failure.
“All our water and sewer infrastructure now is in a manageable state,” Osoyoos chief administrative officer Barry Romanko said.
The town also told residents the Osoyoos landfill will be accepting shoreline flood debris at no cost for the next month.
Lake Country
A state of local emergency has been declared for the District of Lake Country as a precautionary measure due to potential high water levels on area lakes.
In a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon, the central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (COEOC) said the state of emergency is a proactive approach that allows crews access to private properties to do work to protect public infrastructure.
Local states of emergency are also in place for Kelowna, Peachland, West Kelowna as well as the central Okanagan’s West Electoral Area in the vicinity of Westside Road N from 5625 Westside Road to the regional boundary.
WATCH: Coverage of the flooding around the province on Globalnews.ca:
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Flooded B.C. homeowners victimized by looters -
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Grand Forks flooding update -
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Dikes and dredging; flood mitigation options in Kelowna -
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About 100 residents attend flood information meeting in Osoyoos -
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Grand Forks prepares for second wave of flooding while assessing damages -
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Warmer weather has BC bracing for more flooding
Keremeos
A care home in the Similkameen Valley is relocating its residents due to ongoing flooding and increased evacuation alerts in the area.
Orchard Haven in Keremeos is home to 36 residents.
Eleven of them will be temporarily staying with family in the area while 25 will be transported to alternate facilities in the south Okanagan.
-With files from Estefania Duran, Klaudia Van Emmerik, Doris Bregolisse and Shelby Thom
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