The heavy rains that caused widespread flooding across several communities in northeastern British Columbia appear to dying down, but the mayor of Dawson Creek says residents are “not out of the woods yet.”

“Things are improving but we are still in a precarious situation,” Mayor Dale Bumstead in a Facebook update Thursday afternoon. “We are hoping the water receding will provide the relief to those homeowners who have been flooded, either with sewage or flood water.”

Dramatic footage from the town located approximately 400 kilometres northeast of Prince George, B.C., shows some of the city's streets and bridges completely washed out by torrents of water.

Environment Canada has lifted its rainfall warnings across the province. Forecasters are now calling for the storm to clear overnight in the hardest-hit area of Dawson Creek, after predicting more rain and possible snowfall at higher elevation earlier Thursday afternoon.

Bumstead said the flooding essentially split the city in two, cutting the north side off from the south side. He says only one north-south route remains open. Drivers are urged to limit their travel to make way for emergency service workers.

“The highway and transportation issue is one of the main concerns right now,” said Bumstead. “The roads with bridges and culverts have either been washed out or are not safe.”

Bumstead says some drivers have been spotted attempting to go around barricades blocking flooded roads.

The city's transit system is not operating, schools remain closed, and 36 homes have been evacuated.

 

About 100 kilometres west, the municipality of Chetwynd has declared a local state of emergency after 79 millimetres of rain hit the community by noon Wednesday, and continued throughout the day.

The flooding forced the closure of Highway 97, a key highway in the region, as well as some smaller roads.

The BC River Forecast Centre upgraded its flood watch to a flood warning on Thursday for Peace Region, which includes both Chetwynd and Dawson Creek.