Chetwynd declares state of emergency as flooding cuts off northeastern B.C.

The District of Chetwyndin northeastern British Columbia has declared a state of emergency after heavy rain caused havoc and flooding throughout the region on Wednesday.

The regionis cut off from the rest of the province after the only highway was closed by flooding Wednesday afternoon.

The district says 79 millimetres of rain fell by noonand a further 30 to 50 millimetres is expected in the next 24 hours.

"We all need to take measures to ensure our families, structures and livestock are safe at this time," said Chetwynd Mayor Merlin Nichols in a written statement.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions through the Pine Pass,about 150 kilometres north of Prince George.

Motorists are being turned back at the Mackenzie Junction to the south and Chetwynd to the north.

Motorists stranded

"We got turned around. Pine Pass is flooded out and it's all closed up," said Ray Geroux, whogotstranded in Chetwynd while trying to get home to Vancouver.

He's not sure when the route will reopen.

"They said anywhere from twodays to twoweeks depending on when the rain stops and how bad the flooding is," said Geroux.

Gerouxplans to backtrack and spend the night in Dawson Creekbefore contemplatingthe seven-hour detour through Grande Prairie, Alta.

Hesaid the flooding in Chetwynd is pretty bad, with parking lots and rail lines awash.

Flood watch for all of northeast B.C.

Aflood watch is now in place for a huge swath of northeastern B.C., from Pine Pass through to Fort Nelson.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre saidthat river levels continue toriseand will approach or exceed their banks in other areas by Saturday.

Although flooding is possible throughout the region, there are particular concerns about theMoberley,Kiskatinawand Fontas rivers, which are all expected to reach 10- to20-year record highsand to peak on Friday or Saturday.

According to the B.C. River ForecastCentre, water levels in smaller streams at higher elevations roserapidlyWednesdaynear Pine Pass, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Dawson Creek, Fort St. Johnand Fort Nelson.

They'reforecast to continue rising with flooding in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, snow fell Wednesday in Tumbler Ridge, creating slushy and slippery sections on local highways.

On Wednesday afternoon, about 2,000 homes and businesses in the Peace region were without power.

Fort St. John also shut down all city trails as high winds knockedover trees.

Officials with Caribou Road Services and with the Peace River Regional District weren't available forcomment, saying they were too busy.