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A small B.C. Interior community remains in a state of emergency and clean-up efforts are underway after flash floods turned roads into rivers and damaged several homes.

B.C. flood emergency continues, storm clean-up underway


Cheryl Santa Maria
Digital Reporter

Monday, May 25, 2015, 3:31 PM - A small B.C. Interior community remains in a state of emergency after flash floods turned roads into rivers and damaged several homes.

Dozens of residents have been ordered to leave their homes following a powerful storm that hit the Cache Creek area Saturday, dumping around 36 mm of rain.

An additional 80 people are on evacuation alert, meaning they must be prepared to leave their homes on short notice.

The slow-moving storm dumped most the precipitation over the course of an hour, causing rivers to overflow.

A fire hall was filled with mud by the floods, briefly limiting the fire department's ability to respond to emergency calls.

At least one person was sent to hospital with minor injuries. 

A number of homes were filled with mud and debris as flood waters washed in. At least one house was pushed completely off of its foundation by the force of the flood.

Local residents have been cleaning up the debris and damage left behind by the weekend storm, but there's still much to be done.

Mayor John Ranta expects the storm will cost the village at least $400,000 and local property owners millions more. "It was unbelievable. It was horrendous. It was like nothing we've ever seen before," Ranta told the CBC.

The state of emergency will remain in place until May 30th, unless authorities determine it can be lifted prior to the weekend.

MORE RAIN, FLOOD RISK FOR B.C.

The risk of more thunderstorms has continued throughout the week, as severe thunderstorm watches were issued elsewhere in the province on Monday.

Rain is expected to continue in the region into the weekend. 

Meanwhile, flood advisories are currently in effect for the Bulkley River, the Nautley River near Fort Fraser and the Nechako River at Vanderhoof.

Officials on high alert with the additional rainfall expected later this week.

"Local residents are reminded to stay clear of streams during the spring runoff period due to highly saturated and unstable riverbank conditions and swiftly flowing water," the B.C. government says on its website.

"Livestock and other possessions of value should be moved to higher terrain if possible." 

Sources: The Weather Network | CBC | The Province | CFJC | B.C. Government | CBC

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