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Flooding at Finning and Alix Frontage Road

On May 12 Alix Frontage Road and the parking lot of Finning flooded due to the heavy down pour of rain.
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On May 12 rain poured heavily into the streams and rivers flooding the houses and backyards of those living on Alix Frontage Road and the Finning operational building.

On May 12 Alix Frontage Road and the parking lot of Finning flooded due to the heavy down pour of rain.

Jim Daigneault, chief of the Houston Volunteer Fire Department said on May 13, “It stopped raining now so that is good. Water flow is still very high. Hopefully we’ll see it drop in the next little while, could be four to eight hours or so. Nothing really changed over night. It railed all night. The areas that were affected stayed the same. We sent out sand and sand bags to East Valley Road and Alix Frontage Road. Most of the water was coming from all around them. We offered people on Alix Frontage Road, if they lost their water and sewer, rooms in town for up to 72 hours. Don’t know if anyone took the offer.”

“Nobody used the offer for alternate accommodations from the District of Houston,” said Gerald Pinchbeck, Corporate Services Officer for the District of Houston.

According to customer service manager, Glen Kelly, no damage has been done to the parking lot or Finning equipment.

“Everything is looking pretty positive. The water has gone down. Cautionary measures for May long are being taken,” said Kelly.

Houston residents of Alix Frontage Road, Jillian and Steve Standbridge, say that they are glad the rain has finally stopped.

“The water has gone down about four to six inches since Saturday [May 13]. Everyday is looking a little better. We had quite the scare, but our house has thankfully stayed dry. We built a little berm for safe measure, so we will have a little clean up to do once it dries up,” said Jillian.

As far as damage to their property, Jillian says only the yard is wrecked where it was soft. “So we will have some work to do once the ground dries and hardens. As for the part that’s under water still, I would guess it is in great condition, just wet.”

“I would like to shout out to Glen Kelly and the employees at Finning for the amazing support and offers of help with the current situation happening at our place right now. Beyond thankful and don’t have enough words to describe how grateful I am,” said Jillian Reeves Standbridge.

According to the District of Houston, they said do not anticipate any additional flooding at this time.

“The advisory in place for the Bulkley River has ended by the River Forecast Centre. The River Forecast Centre is advising that river levels are receding and expected to continue to improve throughout the week. Conditions will be monitored and advisories will be updated as conditions warrant” said Pinchbeck.

The District of Houston is advising all residents who wish to take precautionary measure to ensure they are ready for any future flooding to review the Regional District’s flood preparation guidelines.

“We would also encourage residents to review the Provincial Government’s Flood Information for Homeowners and Home Buyers guide, available online through the province’s website,” said Pinchbeck.

According to the Weather Network for Houston, the next two weeks will be mostly sun and clouds. With temperature between 14 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius. How this will affect the snowmelt remains to be seen.

“Jim Daigneault monitors water levels to ensure that if there is a flood the District can respond appropriately,” said Pinchbeck.

Pinchbeck also said that if anyone is subject to or witnesses incidences of flooding, they are asked to call 911 so that emergency responders can be dispatched appropriately.