Grand Forks preparing for even more flooding

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GRAND FORKS (NEWS 1130) – The Mayor of Grand Forks says it’s a trying and stressful time for his people.

Frank Konrad says his community has already been devastated by flooding last week and everyone is preparing for more flooding.

“Pictures, videos, and even words can not even come close to describing the travesty and catastrophe that has occurred here.”

Konrad says people in his community are feeling angry and concerned.

Water levels are expected to surge again this weekend.

“Hopefully, we’re wrong. Hopefully, the forecasters are wrong. Hopefully, all the graphs are wrong.”

Once everything settles, Konrad says there will still be work to be done, but he’s already talked with Premier John Horgan and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth about what the future holds.

“The assurance that we got from both the Premier and the Minister that they have our back in Grand Forks, which is a bit of a soothing-calming relief, to a degree.”

Despite the hardship, Konrad says seeing everyone pull together, makes him glad and proud to be from Grand Forks.

At least 1,500 homes in the Kootenay Boundary regional district, which includes Grand Forks, have been evacuated following flooding over the last several days.

Provincial officials say evacuation orders covered another 500 homes around the province, while more than 2,600 homes were on evacuation alert, meaning they must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Emergency Management BC said the Boundary region and Similkameen Valley have already seen significant flooding, while risks are also high across the Okanagan and Shuswap regions.

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