A storm rolls over Kamloops June 29, 2015. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of heavy rain associated with thunderstorms forecast for Friday afternoon and evening which could produce flash flooding.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
August 13, 2015 - 4:46 PM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A system of heavy rain is on the way to the Thompson-Okanagan with the potential to cause flash flooding.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement covering the South and North Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap and Okanagan.
An area of rain embedded in thunderstorms is expected to develop over the Similkameen tomorrow afternoon, Aug. 14, thanks to an inflow of moist, sub-tropical air, according to the statement.
The rain will move northeastward through the Okanagan and Nicola toward the Thompson region tomorrow evening and into the Shuswap overnight.
Forecasters are calling for 15 to 25 millimetres and as high as 40 mm locally during the thunderstorms.
Heavy rainfall rates of 10 mm per hour could occur, the weather office says.
Because of the drought condition, the soil can’t absorb the water as quickly as it normally could, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Environment Canada is advising people to avoid damage from flash flooding by making sure drain spouts and sewer covers are free of debris so water can freely drain.
Other advice the meteorologists offer is to avoid underpasses, drainage ditches and other low lying areas, which can flood and overflow. Do not try to drive across a flooded road because you can’t tell the condition of the surface under the water.
For the very latest forecasts and warnings go to the Environment Canada website.
Image Credit: Environment Canada
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News from © iNFOnews, 2015