The Regional District of Bulkley Nechako has issued an evacuation alert for Viewmount Road and Quick.
The alert was issued May 17 at 6 p.m. due to the potential danger to life and health the rapidly rising river presented.
The evacuation alert is for those on Viewmount Road North and Columbia Street, including Bulkley Street and 22nd Avenue, as well as the south side of Quick Station Bridge to 16548 Quick Station Road.
Residents, the RDBN warns, should be ready to leave their property as soon as possible should the alert turn into an order. Residents affected should arrange for all family members to meet at a given place, gather essential items such as medications, insurance papers or other important documents and have them ready for quick departure, move pets and livestock to a safe location, and arrange the transport of disabled persons and/or children.
In the event of an evacuation order, a reception centre will be opened at Ranger Park on 15th Avenue and Princess Street in Smithers.
The public are being asked not to travel unnecessarily by areas impacted and to stay away from the fast moving riverbanks.
“The Bulkley River has been rising sharply in response to the rainfall and ongoing snow melt,” Smithers Mayor Cress Farrow said. “Residents should remain well away from the riverbanks as fast moving water can be extremely dangerous.”
The Town of Smithers has also sent out a warning for all low-lying regions near the river within Smithers. They have issued their own evacuation alert for residents along the 2100 block of Riverside Drive, the 2700 block of Pacific Avenue, the 2100 block of Main Street and the 4200 block of Rosenthal Road.
More information, as it is known, is available from the Town of Smithers at 250-847-1600 or on the RDBN website – www.rdbn.bc.ca.
