Rain Continues to Fill Run-Off Swollen Southeast BC Rivers, Raise Flooding Concerns

Residents and workers for the City of Fernie, B.C., fill sandbags in preparation for flooding along the Elk River, where heavy rain and spring snow melt threaten to push the river over its banks. The Canadian Press/HO-City of Fernie

A small community in the southeast corner of British Columbia is the latest to declare a local state of emergency as heavy rain and a late spring thaw combine to swell rivers across many parts of the province.

The District of Sparwood has declared the emergency and posted evacuation alerts for two mobile home parks and several properties along the Elk River after nearly 52 millimetres of rain deluged the community.