Flood warnings remain in effect in Cariboo Chilcotin region as Quesnel battles erosion

A flood warning remains in effectfor the CaribooChilcotin region as melting snow has caused rivers and streams in the area to swell.

The flood warning issued by B.C.'sRiver Forecast Centre on Friday is for tributary rivers and streams around Chilakoand southwest of Prince George.

It also includes rivers and streams around Williams Lake, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Cache Creek, and the Nazko and West Road rivers.

Snowmelt rates eased as of Fridayand many rivers have reached peak levelsbut some could still rise,the centre said in a statement.

Residents are advised to stay away from rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.

State of emergency in Quesnel and Williams Lake

A state of emergency declared in both Quesnel and Williams Lake on Friday due to flooding and erosion remains in effect.

Sylvain Gauthier, director of emergency services in Quesnel, said Saturday the main concern is erosion along Baker Creek.

Almost 1,000 metres of shoreline was lost overnight, one house is under an evacuation alert and crews are on scene fixing a broken sewer line,he said.

"What we've had is a lot of log jams and erosion," he said.

"Since last night we've had some major erosion happening, which took part of our sewer lines down for certain neighbourhoods and it's threatening one house right now. So we're dealing with that the best we can."

Conditions in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George remain the same Saturday, spokesperson Renee McCloskey said.

An evacuation order issued Friday remains in effect for the Upper Mud River Road due to the flood risk from the Chilako River.

An evacuation alert is in effect for other areas near the Chilako River area, and residents should be prepared to evacuate quickly if required.

Ranchers, farmers told to prepare for flooding

In the CaribooRegional District, an evacuation order remains in effect for one property in the Milburn Creek Road area due to flooding, and four other properties in the Horsefly Road area along Hawks Creek.

Ranchers and farmers are also being advised to prepare for flooding and the impact it could have on property and livestock.

There are no further advisories or evacuations expected for Saturday, but residents have been helping each other prepare for any changes, saiddistrict spokesman Chris Keam

"We're pretty much in the same position as we were. Hard to know what's going to happen in the next while," he said.

"People are looking out for each other."