Coast Mountain News Thursday, May 26, 2011
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$1.00 + HST Vol. 27 | No. 11 Thursday, May 26, 2011
All ages enjoyed the Teddy Bear's Picnic on May 15.
BC snowpack above average but local spring flooding will be weather dependent BY STEPHEN WAUGH E MERGENCY P ROGRAM C OORDINATOR British Columbia is experiencing the highest average snowpack in many years and that has emergency program officials throughout the province concerned about the potential for flooding. Media reports have been showing
flood mitigation efforts in various communities, particularly those located in the Fraser Valley. The mighty Fraser River and most if not all of its tributaries are at a very high flood risk level this spring and crews are working feverishly to shore up dikes in preparation for the worst. While the rest of
the province enters a nearpanic mode, the pressure to prepare for flooding is also being applied to the Bella Coola Valley area. Provincial agencies and utility companies alike have been updating their plans and ensuring they’re prepared to deal with any flood emergency that may occur in our communities. This
is always a good thing and the local emergency program has been cooperating with all outside requests for information and assistance. However, the question of whether or not Bella Coola will see any major flooding this spring rests with the weather forecast. While flooding is recognized as one of the most
common hazards that our community faces, the traditionally large flood events have taken place in the fall as this is when we normally expect heavy rains in Bella Coola. The ‘Pineapple Express’ from Hawaii, as it’s known, can bring huge volumes of rain to the BC coast SEE FLOODING ON PAGE 3