June 19, 2012 - 4:55 PM
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - Emergency officials in Prince George, B.C., are breathing a momentary sigh of relief as the flood threat from the Fraser River appears to be easing slightly.
Prince George emergency operations spokeswoman Chris Bone says the river is expected to peak this afternoon at levels just below flood levels of 40 years ago.
Bone says the Fraser at Prince George is forecast to peak at 10.2 metres, below the 1972 peak of 10.4 metres and below the earlier forecast of 10.8 metres.
The BC River Forecast Centre is expected to update its flood river forecasts for the Fraser and other river systems in British Columbia this afternoon.
Bone says 20 people living in eight homes in a flood-sensitive area of Prince George have heeded evacuation notices, but residents from 11 other area homes have chosen to stay.
Bone says the flood season is far from over and despite today's relief, the flood danger could last another three weeks.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012