Othello British Columbia - Severe flooding over the past month has forced B.C. Parks to close several of its popular South Coast destinations.
 
So far, B.C. Parks has fully closed the Othello Tunnels and the surrounding Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park to ensure public safety.
 
"Anyone gaining access in a closed park may face enforcement actions," said B.C. Parks in a statement.
 
And it warns that other parks may have even greater damage, but crews have not been able to assess them due to washed-out roads.
 
As for parks on the South Coast that remain open, B.C. Parks is still urging caution.
 
"We're asking for the public to carefully consider the risk they're undertaking when they're visiting B.C.'s backcountry right now and take extra precautions," said Robert Wilson, the department's area supervisor for the South Coast Region.
 
Coquihalla Provincial Park Hard Hit
 
Wilson says the damage to the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and the Othello Tunnels is widespread.
 
During one of the flooding events, he says the Coquihalla River rose and filled the first two former railway tunnels, wiping out the pedestrian pathways.
 
As well, many of the area's rockfall protection measures, such as netting and protective walls, were damaged during the flood.
 
B.C. Parks says it is unclear how long it will take for the park to be fixed and reopened.
 
Joel Ballard.