The City of Prince George has issued the first evacuation alert of the 2012 flood season.
The new level of vigilance was enacted at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"The provincial River Forecast Centre has upgraded the highstream flow advisory for the Fraser River in Prince George to a flood watch," said city spokeswoman Chris Bone. "As such, the city's Emergency Operations Centre will be issuing evacuation alert notices to residents who may be affected."
Evacuation alerts are issued to notify residents of the potential for danger to or loss of life from flooding in their homes or lack of emergency vehicle access. It is not an order to leave the home.
Residents who receive evacuation alert notices can contact the City of Prince George Service Centre at 250-561-7600 for sandbag delivery.
"Flooding has not yet occurred," Bone said. "River level monitoring will continue and updates will be provided as conditions change. Residents and visitors are again reminded to stay well back from the river banks due to the possibility of hidden erosion. Participation in recreational activities on these rivers is not recommended during the current hazardous conditions."
Despite heavy rains this week, regional officials remain calm.
"We are setting up the right staff for emergency response coverage throughout the weekend, establishing good contacts with the Emergency Management Branch and other partners, getting a line on sand and bags, that's the work happening right now," said Regional District of Fraser-Fort George spokeswoman Renee McCloskey. "So far things are relatively quiet. That may change, depending on what happens throughout this rain period."
There are no homes, roads or bridges in imminent danger, she said.
The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation's reserve lands on the north shore of the Fraser at Shelley is an area of concern being watching closely.
"We are constantly monitoring the river levels ourselves," said the band's executive director Jason Morgan. "And we have Louella Nome, a councillor and our health director, in contact with various emergency response teams, in daily conference calls, dialoguing with the regional district and keeping our membership apprised of the concerns."
Each homeowner is responsible for the protection of their own property from flooding. Furthermore, all residents should have food, water and provisions for 72 hours cut off from electricity, transportation and human contact.
In rural areas, said McCloskey, the responsibility often goes further. Owners of livestock should have contingency plans for their animals if the water come over the banks.
