Kamloops This Week June 1, 2022

Page 1

WEDNESDAY, June 1, 2022

www.kamloopsthisweek.com

kamloopsthisweek.com | kamloopsthisweek |

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022 | Volume 35 No. 22

A1

kamthisweek

#YKASTRONG

‘SIGNIFICANT’ FLOOD RISK HAS CITY EYEING AREAS OF CONCERN JESSICA WALLACE SEAN BRADY

STAFF REPORTERS

T

he City of Kamloops and the Thompson Nicola Regional District are prepping for possible floods in the city and region. City of Kamloops utility services manager Greg Wightman noted “significant” seasonal flood risk this year, as warned by the River Forecast Centre. Meanwhile, TNRD emergency program co-ordinator Kevin Skrepnek is keeping his eyes on areas throughout the region that were impacted by last year’s floods and fires and may be vulnerable. The most recent update to the city shows the snowpack has been melting slower than usual, Wightman told KTW. By this time, 30 per cent of the snowpack has typically melted, but only about five per cent has melted so far. The North Thompson River basin is 142 per cent of seasonal average and the South Thompson is at 113 per cent of seasonal average. As a result, peaking of the city’s rivers will be delayed. Wightman said the North and South Thompson Rivers usually peak in the first and third weeks of June, respectively, but are not expected to peak until the end of June and early July. Wightman said early predictions point to a possible one-in-20-year flood event. Elevations compared

to 1999 have been among early conversations, but it will depend on myriad factors. This year’s key flood risk factors are: a heat event (four to five days of heat above average), a significant rain event (30 millimetres of rain in a day) or the synchronization of the rivers peaking. “The River Forecast Centre is saying that there is a significant seasonal flood risk for the North and South Thompson rivers,” Wightman said. Wightman said the city is monitoring river levels and creating predictive flood modelling daily based on information provided by the River Forecast Centre. Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist with the centre, said the window has narrowed for the snowpack to melt, as it usually begins melting in April. “The hypothetical is that if we were to get something to the extent of the heat dome we saw last year, or even a junior version of that, it could lead to pretty significant flows and potential flooding,” Boyd said. Boyd said one week of temperatures between 32 C and 38 C would be present a worst case scenario, as temperatures wouldn’t cool enough at night to regulate melting. Beginning the week of May 30, the city will also provide sand and sand bags in various locations around the city for residents who live in areas at risk of flooding.

The water level monument at Riverside Park shows just how exceptional the flooding was in 1894, standing far above the significant flooding seen in 1972 and 1948. DAVE EAGLES/KTW

See FLOODING, A10

Day in Sport: Ready, Set, Revive! R SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH

TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTRE

This event has been planned to energize local sport organizations and clubs! You will have an opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate sport. Join us for professional development and networking. Lunch included! Registration: $20 Individual, Group of Four: $60

Thank you to our partners: City of Kamloops, PacificSport Interior BC, Kamloops Sports Council, PLAYKamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc EVENT DETAILS: www.ykanow.ca/day-in-sport-june-4-2022/ EVENT REGISTRATION: bit.ly/3P5myNG

Event Highlights: • Sport for Life - Quality Sport for Communities and Club’s workshop (3 NCCP credits) • Keynote by Greg Stewart, Gold Medal Athlete, 2020 Paralympic Games • Indigenous Games & Energizer Activity session by Bernard (Buzz) Manuel Jr. Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc • Sport Panel Presentation • Post-event Social at Iron Roads Brewery


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.