20 homes affected in flash flooding west of Kamloops, B.C.: emergency officials

Officials say a flash flood west of Kamloops, B.C., has impacted at least 20 homes in the community of Savona, but no injuries have been reported.

Thompson-Nicola Regional District activated its emergency operations centre Monday the day after heavy rain that saw Highway 1 closed for several hours through the community.

Amanda Ellison, a spokeswoman for the regional district, says some homeowners have called in to report that their homes have been damaged, and in other cases "eyes on the ground" have seen homes that may have been affected.

The highway has since reopened but drivers are being warned to reduce their speed through the area and watch for working road crews.

A statement from the Interior Health authority says some Savona-area residents were reporting sewage smells around their homes following the flooding.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several parts of B.C.'s Interior, warning that conditions are "favourable" for the development of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain.

In the province's northeast, a thunderstorm warning was issued for the Fort Nelson area on Monday afternoon, meaning Environment Canada believes "imminent" thunderstorms are likely to produce large hail, damaging winds or torrential rainfall.