Water is flooding Westsyde Road this afternoon, June 30, 2015.
Image Credit: Jackie Chadwick via Twitter
June 30, 2015 - 5:25 PM
KAMLOOPS - A storm moving over the city dropped a lot of rain in a short amount of time over Westsyde and now a 'river of mud' is reportedly forcing evacuations of Oak Hills Boulevard area.
Emergency crews encountered heavy traffic as they tried to get to the area and reports on social media showed water flooding Westsyde Road and roads around Oak Hills Boulevard. Initial reports were that dozens of homes were being flooded and sandbags were on the way to the area to help divert water away from homes.
Tammy Robertson with the city says approximately two to three feet of water and debris had collected in the area of the Oak Hills Trailer Park and in total about 60 homes were evacuated by RCMP.
A reception centre has been set up at Interior Savings Centre Parkside Lounge and all Oak Hills residents have been asked to register.
B.C. Hydro has shut off power to the area to allow clean-up crews to work at clearing clogged culverts and catch basins. Heavy equipment including vactor trucks are currently on scene to help remove excess water as well.
No injuries have been reported.
As of 6 p.m. traffic was backed up down Halston Avenue and was moving slowly on Westsyde Road. People are being asked to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary and traffic control personnel are helping to manage traffic flow. As of 8:20 p.m. two lanes of traffic were open on Westsyde Road, one in either direction.
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Lots of water in the Oak Hills area of Westsyde following heavy rains June 30, 2015.
Image Credit: Jamie Rye via Twitter
Water is pouring over roads and boulevards in Westsyde following heavy rains on June 30, 2015.
Image Credit: Jamie Rye via Twitter
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was updated at 5:40 p.m., June 30, 2015, with additional details from the city.
— This story was updated at 6:07 p.m., June 30, 2015, with an update on traffic.
— This story was updated at 7:11 p.m., June 30, 2015, to add videos.
— This story was updated at 8:21 p.m., June 30, 2015, with updates from the city.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015