Evacuation alert issued for Barnston Island along B.C.’s Fraser River

VANCOUVER — An evacuation alert has been issued for a small island along British Columbia’s Fraser River due to possible flooding from swelling waters after rainfall and snowmelt.

Metro Vancouver has issued the alert for Barnston Island, home to about 150 people.

It says in a statement the evacuation alert is a precautionary measure, which means residents are not required to leave but should be prepared to do so at short notice.

Metro Vancouver says a local state of emergency has been declared to restrict access to the island in case residents must evacuate, while Barnston Island Regional Park is closed.