By Rick Zammuto, Crescent Spur

The extreme maximum daily 24 hour and 48 hour rainfall ever recorded in the month of May along the Upper Fraser River of Robson Valley since records were kept fell on ECAN’s Crescent Spur Weather Station during May 7-8, 2007. Records have been kept since the 1940s.

A total 47.2 mm fell on May 7, where 41.8 mm of that fell the night of May 7 between 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. The old station record for extreme maximum daily 24 hour rainfall in May was 19.2 mm in 2004 (for 1995-2007).

The 24 hour total of 47.2 mm exceeds all published extreme maximum daily 24 hour rainfall in May at the Prince George Airport (published record was 24.9 mm, 1942-2000). The 47.2 mm also exceeds all the Dome Creek (1970-2000), Mt Robson, and McBride ECAN Weather Station extreme maximum daily 24 hour rainfalls (published up to 2000).

The old Crescent Spur record was again broken the following day meaning that 68.6 mm fell in 48 hours during 7-8 May. Deductively, this must be the most extreme maximum rainfall ever recorded in the Upper Fraser River of Robson Valley during 48 hours in the month of May since it is more than double any maximum daily rainfall amount ever published since 1942.

Pioneer Days inching closer

By Jennifer Quam

The McBride Pioneer Days hosted by the McBride Elks and Royal Purple Clubs is inching ever closer and they still require help for the annual event.

Like many non-profit clubs in McBride, both the Royal Purple and the Elks are struggling to recruit enough members to run their activities.

Royal Purple treasurer Kathy Molendyk said that this year, the two organizations seriously considered not hosting the event.

“We just don’t have enough members and again this year we are left scrambling to get enough help,” said Molendyk.

Molendyk said the event planned for June 15, 16 and 17 this year will be scaled back in comparison to other years but will happen.

“There will be a ball tournament hosted by the Loaded team, a Mardi Gras themed parade geared towards kids and their participation, a beer garden, a food booth, kids races, and bed races,” said Molendyk.

There will also be a dance on Saturday night with music by McBride local Bob Callaghan and his band.

Molendyk explained that due to lack of help events like the strongman competition, the quilt walk, and the horse pull have been cancelled this year.

There is still time for people to sign up if you are able to help run an activity during pioneer days to sign up. People can phone Kathy at 569-3239 or Dawna at 569-3210.