Princeton has declared a state of emergency after the surging Tulameen River breached its banks in many areas throughout the town.

Two hundred and ninety homes were hurriedly placed on evacuation order late Sunday night, Nov. 14.

鈥淚t came up so fast,鈥� said Mayor Spencer Coyne. 鈥淚t鈥檚 changing every minute now,鈥� he added, in an interview at 12:50 a.m. Nov. 15.

In a chaotic situation, two municipal wells have been shut down and a boil water advisory will be issued.

The flooding on Fenchurch Avenue impacted a lift station, which normally conducts sewage, through a pipe beneath the river. The breach has potentially contaminated the water supply, said Coyne.

The town鈥檚 public work鈥檚 department, on Harold Avenue, is under water. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 even get to it,鈥� said Coyne.

The Spotlight will update this story as more details are available.

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