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Flooding of Bonaparte River means more evacuation orders for Cache Creek, B.C.

May 10, 2023 | 10:25 AM

CACHE CREEK, B.C. — The risk of flooding has prompted more evacuation orders for residents in the Village of Cache Creek, B.C., as higher temperatures quickly melt of mountain snowpacks. 

In his latest order, Mayor John Ranta says about two dozen more properties have to evacuate due to the immediate danger caused by flooding of the Bonaparte River.

Cache Creek, about 350 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, remains under a flood warning. 

Last week the community dealt with rising creek waters that flowed through its firehall, flooding several homes and businesses, and temporarily closing both highways 1 and 97.

The village says eight properties remain under an evacuation order from that threat and the state of local emergency has been extended until May 13.

Provincial emergency officials have said that less rain than expected in the southern Interior last weekend stabilized the flood risk for a period but forecasters warn warm weather will likely trigger snowmelt and further threats later this week.

The community of Grand Forks, which also issued a state of local emergency last week due to flooding, has started taking down some of the protections that were in place.

But officials said in a statement online that other protections will remain as they monitor the forecast.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2023

The Canadian Press