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Environment Canada is warning of rain and thunderstorms in the Southern Interior over the next three days that could impact areas already struggling with flooding.

The threat of thunderstorms begins today in the Kootenays with the potential of brief, heavy downpours of up to 15 mm in an hour.

On Thursday and Friday showers will spread from the Kootenays west into the Okanagan Valley and Boundary.

“Embedded thunderstorms and the continued risk of heavy downpours are possible in these areas,” a weather alert states.

Total rainfall amounts will be in the 20 to 40 mm range by late Friday.

The special weather statement is in place for the Okanagan Valley, east to the Alberta border.

More than 2,000 people have already been forced from their homes due to flooding in the Boundary, Similkameen and Osoyoos. River flows are anticipated to exceed last weeks peak around the end of the week.