Send in the army: Officials ask for help as B.C.'s southern Interior braces for 2nd wave of flooding

With flooding expected to worsen over the next few days,politicians and officials in the hard-hit southern Interior of B.C. areasking for help from the army.

"We are in conversation with our partners at Emergency Management BCto see what resources might be available for us," said Roly Russell, chair of the KootenayBoundary Regional District. "We feel we could use those resources effectively on the ground."

Community staff say volunteers and emergency workers are exhausted after almost a week of fighting the floods, especially in Grand Forks, Christina Lake, Rock Creek and surrounding rural areas.

"People have been working really long hours and it's boiling here 32 C. They're thirsty, they'retired and they're worn out," said Jessica Mace of the Kettle River Water Authority.

Twopublicmeetings have been called today to update residents with the latest flood information.

Officials will be on hand in Rock Creek at the Rock Creek Fairgrounds from 4 to 6 p.m.

In Grand Forks, the meeting will run from 7 to 9 p.m. atGrand Forks Secondary School.

Another town hall was held in Osoyoos Tuesday night.

The waters in OsoyoosLake swelled late last week, sending water into the streets and into homes.

On Sunday, officials saidthe Similkameen River was projected to reach historic levels by Friday potentially pushing several more feet of water into the lake.

Emergency personnelare reminding the public to remain vigilant. High temperatures are expected to speed the meltingof the heavy snowpack, sending asecond surge of water down from the mountains in the next few days.

The regional district is also reminding residents to stay out of evacuated areas for their own safety and to allow emergency officials to focus efforts where they are needed most.

With files from Josh Pag