Slight improvements in Terrace

The Skeena pulled back for now over the last day, allowing Terrace residents to survey some damage and a highway and railway officials to begin to reconstruct and clear some of the patches of the transportation grid that have become damaged over the last week.

For Terrace residents anxious about supplies to their city, Highway 16 was opened east bound to truck traffic only, as transport trucks were allowed to travel through the mudslide area and the water logged portions of the highway that were closed yesterday. Smaller trucks and vehicles are not allowed through the area at the moment and are still contemplating whether using the Cranberry Connector is worth the wear and tear on their vehicles.

Skeena waters recede
The Terrace Standard
By Dustin Quezada

4:59:54PM, Jun 09 2007

VIEW OF Skeena Street from above shows the extent of the drop in the Skeena River the morning of June 9.

Skeena St. on the south side of Terrace was one of the first streets to flood in the evening hours of June 4 when the Skeena first began to rise thanks to a surge of melted snow caused by hot weather.

Federal public safety minister Stockwell Day and his provincial counterpart, John Les, surveyed the area by helicopter today.

Also in a helicopter was Skeena Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen and Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin. The pair have been urging both the provincial and federal governments to provide assistance and financial compensation to those affected by flood waters in the northwest.

As of this afternoon, the Skeena River has dropped approximately 2 metres from peak periods reached on Thursday.

The federal and provincial governments have provided more than $33 million for
88 urgent flood mitigation projects at various locations throughout British
Columbia. As well, the two governments have spent an additional $15 million
combined on flood preparation and response.

Highway 16 east open to trucks
The Terrace Standard
11:08:30AM, Jun 09 2007

Effective 11 a.m. this morning, Highway 16 East of Terrace was opened for large transport trucks only. This does not include pick-up trucks. The highway will be closed again between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Cranberry Connector is still available under scheduled openings for smaller vehicles. It's a system of controlled traffic flowing in alternate directions.

Nisga'a highway reopens
The Terrace Standard
10:55:41AM, Jun 09 2007

The Nisga'a highway between Canyon City (Gitwinksihlkw) and Greenville (Laxgalts'ap)reopened this morning at approximately 9 a.m. Traffic is alternating, single-lane. The highway had shut down Monday due to the Nass river flooding a kilometre of the road.

Braun's Island residents allowed to go home
The Terrace Standard
6:20:44PM, Jun 08 2007

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine has lifted the Evacuation
Order for Braun's Island.

This comes thanks to a drop in the level of the Skeena River, decreasing the risk of danger to life and property.

"While residents are being allowed back on Braun's Island they should be aware, the island is now under an Evacuation Alert and they should be prepared to leave on short notice, should the flood situation change," the regional district said.

Access to the island is restricted to local residents, who should be aware their homes will still be without electricity or gas service.

Returning residents will be given contact information regarding hydro and gas safety and reconnections, food safety and clean-up tips.

The regional district adivises that an evacuation alert remains in effect for Usk, Old Remo, New Remo, Dutch Valley and the Queensway area of Thornhill. These alerts affect about 260 homes.
The Evacuation Order for Braun's Island was issued on June 6, and affected about 50 homes.
For more information, call the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine at 1-250-615-6100.

Greenville residents have exit option
The Terrace Standard
4:41:55PM, Jun 08 2007

ANYONE WHO wants to leave Greenville can leave if they wish despite the Nisga'a highway being closed since Tuesday due to floods, says a village council member.

William Moore says about one kilometre of the Nisga'a highway is covered in water, but zodiak boats with supplies are zipping across the moat.

If Greenville residents want to leave their homes, they can cross in the same manner.
Initially, residents who needed special care such as medical attention or the elderly were evacuated but if someone really wants to go, they can, Moore says.

The boats will likely be bringing supplies in at least once a day, Moore says.

For the most part, however, people are dealing with the situation just fine, according to Moore.
"Things are quite well considering we are isolated now," he says. "I wouldn't say it's exactly normal but people seem to be coping quite well."

"Our emergency group has been geared up for the last month and a half to two months," said Moore who estimates 25,000 sandbags have been filled and half of those placed.

So far no houses in the village have been waterlogged and according to Moore, the river would have to rise by about 1.5 metres to touch even the most vulnerables one.

Five metres more would cover the whole village, but that's not expected to happen, he says estimating that the river rose three metres in the last week.

The water has leveled and if the weather cooperates and stays cool, we'll be fine, Moore says.
"Essentially we are at the mercy of the weather. If there is a sudden warming trend, we can expect the water to rise suddenly."

"It's a waiting game," he says.

Moore adds that the recent upgrades on the Nisga'a highway have helped.

"Only one part is under water instead of half the road," he says.

No estimate has been given of when the highway will reopen as it depends on how quickly the water recedes.

In the meantime, with the help of Kincolith community members from down the road, Greenville residents continue to sandbag.

Kincolith has not yet flooded as it is on higher ground.