The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued flood watches for several parts of B.C. including the northeast Peace region, which is already dealing with out-of-control wildfires.
A flood watch was issued Sunday for rivers and tributaries around Fort St. John, Taylor, Chetwynd, Moberly Lake, Pine Pass, Hudson’s Hope and Dawson Creek.
The river forecast centre says unseasonably hot weather over the past few weeks has led to heavy snowfall melts, which means the region is vulnerable to significant flooding as water levels rise.
Environment Canada says heavy rain is expected Monday through Tuesday, with 50 to 75 mm expected in the southern Fort Nelson region though the North Peace region, and up to 100 mm expected in the South Peace region, including Tumbler Ridge.
The agency is warning of flash flooding, pooling and possible debris flow.
A white sedan teeters on the edge of a flooded street in Dawson Creek, B.C., in 2016. The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for the city, saying weather and water conditions are similar to those that led to catastrophic flooding in northeastern B.C. seven years ago. (Brett Hyde/CBC)
Multiple thunderstorm watches are in effect with heavy rain forecast through Tuesday by Environment Canada.
The damage from the 2016 floods took months to repair, with entire communities cut off as roads were destroyed and washed away. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation)
Dangers to the public
Officials say it is important to avoid rivers and streams that are under flood watches and warnings.
Swimming, fishing, boating and hiking near these rivers and streams is also discouraged.
On Friday evening, a man drowned trying to rescue a dog that had been swept away by high, fast-moving waters in West Vancouver’s Cypress Falls Park, prompting a warning for pet owners, as well.
“If you are close to bodies of water, keep your dog on a leash,” said Paul Markey, who led North Shore Rescue’s response to the call. “And if the dog does go in, absolutely do not follow the dog in there and try not to get close to the water.”
Storms could help — or hinder — wildfire fight
The warning comes as the region is already dealing with several out-of-control wildfires that continue to force hundreds of people from their homes.
As of Sunday evening, there are more than 90 wildfires burning across the province with the majority of them in the Peace River region, including three wildfires that pose a threat to property.
Forrest Tower, a fire information officer with the province, said there is hope the forecasted rain could help bring some of those fires — such as Red Creek and Cameron River — under control.
However, the fire service is also monitoring any lightning strikes, which could cause new fires, as the rain arrives.
“The timeline, at this point, is just when we start receiving that precipitation,” he said.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
