Kamloops, Cariboo regions under a high streamflow advisory

A high streamflow advisory has been issued for areas surrounding Kamloops.

The advisory is in place for the North Thompson, South Thompson, Upper Columbia, Upper Fraser, Cariboo.

That includes tributary rivers around Blue River, Clearwater, Adams and Seymour Rivers and surrounding areas.

The advisory means river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

The BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) says a storm system on the coast has the potential to spill over into the Interior.

“Areas at risk with heavier rainfall totals (20-50 mm, possibly more) include the headwaters of the North and South Thompson, Upper Fraser, Upper Columbia, and Cariboo regions beginning on Saturday,” the advisory said.

No major flooding is expected but rivers may experience a rapid increase in flows, particularly in smaller watersheds and streams.

If those heavier rainfall amounts are seen, they could exacerbate runoff from areas that experienced wildfires this past summer.

The BCRFC warns that the BC General Employees Union is impacting their staff’s ability to access the full range of information that is generally used to generate forecasts and advisories.

“As a result, the current forecasts have a higher degree of uncertainty and should be interpreted with caution.”

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