Riverside residents in Vanderhoof, B.C., alarmed as ice jams limit Nechako River flow

Ice jams are building along the Nechako River in central British Columbia and officials in Vanderhoof say flooding of nearby properties is possible.

The district has posted a warning advising its roughly 4.500 residents to stay clear of the riverbanks. Ice jams began building on the waterway in mid-December, but the warning says the blockages worsened this week.

The District of Vanderhoof website says the jams have the potential to cause severe, unexpected changes in river levels.

Mayor Gerry Thiessen posted photos on social media showing water nearly topping the decks of several homes overlooking the Nechako.

The area is located about 100 kilometres west of Prince George.

Mayor says several properties have been affected by high water, although the district has not yet issued any evacuation alerts or orders.