Sicamous evacuated as flooding continues to ravage B.C. Interior

British Columbia's rising waters claimed their first life over the weekend when a flash flood swept an elderly man into Goose Creek near Castlegar, in the southern Interior, as he inspected a little bridge on his land.

Meanwhile, about 350 residents were ordered out of their homes in Sicamous, in the Shuswap region east of Kamloops, as rain-swollen creeks triggered flash floods, CBC News reported.

The flooding, which saw people evacuated by barge and houseboat on Shuswap Lake, has closed roads and schools and contaminated drinking water, CBC News said.

And northern communities along the Fraser River and its tributaries, including Prince George, remain on flood watch after high water threatened homes last week.

In a province studded with snow-laden mountains and a coast lashed by rain half the year, flooding is an ever-present threat in the spring and early summer.

Responsibility for flood preparedness goes through provincial and local organizations (with help from the army if needed), as well as private-property owners.

The B.C. government assured everyone it's "fully prepared" to deal with the inundations.

"We have 1,000 Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources firefighters on standby to sandbag, deploy erosion control devices and assist local governments and their residents in areas affected by flooding," Justice Minister Shirley Bond said in a news release Saturday.

There are bound to be complaints, as there often are, about not enough sandbags or officials guessing wrong about which areas would be hit hard.

But this weekend highlighted the need for people to take responsibility for their personal safety. Many residents in flood-threatened areas opted to stay and watch over their homes and others went to get a closer look at the raging waterways.

The 73-year-old man swept into Goose Creek as he inspected flood damage on his property occurred when the private bridge on which he was standing was swept away.

Bond said the tragedy should be a warning to rubberneckers and homeowners.

"If residents have concerns about their property, do not go alone," she said. "Consider instead contacting the local authorities. They have professionals and experts to provide that kind of support."

Police are also looking into the death of a rafter during an excursion on the high-running Kicking Horse River near Golden on the weekend, CBC reported.

The rafting company operator said the river flow fell within safe operating guidelines but Emergency Management B.C.'s Chris Duffy said the rivers are unpredictable.

"Carefully consider or avoid recreational activities on the water during these times, with the flows we have," he said. "Significant safety issues may exist, such as debris and unstable shorelines and and strong currents."

Warmer weather this week could increase the threat from melting snowpack, while the potential for more rain could also overload already swollen waterways.