B.C. issues flood watch and high streamflow advisories
Published 4:00 pm Friday, May 29, 2026
By Josh Fischlin
Flood watches and high stream flow advisories were put in effect on May 28, 2026, for regions in central, northern and eastern B.C. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)
Flood watches and high streamflow advisories are in effect for regions in central, northern and eastern B.C. as rain is expected to fall through the weekend.
The province released an advisory on May 28 with the information.
Regions under flood watch are Upper Columbia, West Kootenay and East Kootenay.
Those under high streamflow advisories are Upper Fraser — East, North Thompson, South Thompson and Boundary.
According to the River Forecast Centre, the flood watch includes:
- In Upper Columbia, tributaries around Revelstoke, Golden and surrounding areas
- In West Kootenay, tributaries around Trout Lake, Lardeau River, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, and surrounding areas
- In East Kootenay, tributaries around Fairmont Hotsprings, Elkford, Kimberley, and surrounding areas
Those under high streamflow advisories include:
- In Upper Fraser – East, the Fraser River and tributaries from Prince George to McBride and Red Pass
- In North and South Thompson Rivers, tributaries around Clearwater, Blue River, Malakwa, Sicamous and surrounding areas
- In Boundary, headwater tributaries on the Granby River and surrounding areas
The advisory says warmer weather over the past few days has led to increased snowmelt rates and rising river levels throughout the region. Weather coming north from the U.S. is expected to bring severe weather, including moderate to heavy rainfall, to B.C. and Alberta.
“Rainfall is expected to begin later Friday and extend through Monday and early Tuesday.”
It also notes that fast-flowing rivers pose an increased risk to safety.
“Stay away from rivers and river banks, which can be unstable. Never drive through floodwaters, as unseen hazards and currents can be life-threatening.”
