Heavy rainfall expected for Southern Interior

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Make sure your kids have their raincoats and umbrellas before heading out the door because heavy rain is expected to cap off the first week back to school.

Environment Canada is giving communities throughout the Southern Interior a heads up that more showers and thunderstorms are likely to roll in this evening and into tomorrow.

Some areas could see up to 50 millimeters by Friday afternoon, due to a low pressure system heading north from Washington State.

Areas hardest hit could also see localized flooding. The ministry of forests, lands and natural resources is advising municipalities to keep a close eye on their drainage systems and infrastructure.

People should also be aware that smaller streams and waterways could see a sudden surge in flow and use caution accordingly.

The special weather statement applies to the following areas:

      Okanagan Valley
      Similkameen
      Fraser Canyon
      Nicola
      South Thompson
      Shuswap
      West Columbia
      East Columbia
      Yoho Park – Kootenay Park
      North Thompson
      Boundary
      Arrow Lakes – Slocan Lake
      West Kootenay
      Kootenay Lake
      East Kootenay
      Elk Valley.

For more information visit the Environment Canada weather centre.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Julie Whittet at jwhittet@infotelnews.ca or call (250)718-0428.