Flood waters are on the rise in the Similkameen and Tulameen River watersheds, resulting in an evacuation alert and notice in the community of Tulameen, and a state of local emergency declared in Cawston.
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April 30, 2018 - 5:36 AM
PENTICTON - The list of regional district emergencies in the Okanagan Similkameen continued to grow this weekend.
Melting of historically high snow levels combined with rain and saturated ground have combined to add two more areas to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s lengthening list of emergencies.
Concern over rising waters in the community of Tulameen, northwest of Princeton saw the regional district order 148 properties evacuated and another 157 placed on evacuation alert today, April 29.
An emergency social services reception centre has been set up at the Riverside Community Centre at 148 Old Hedley Rd. to assist residents.
A state of local emergency was declared yesterday, April 29, for Cawston, south of Keremeos. An increased threat of flooding and debris flow from upland creeks may pose threats to safety and life, and have the potential to cause significant property damage. No properties have been evacuated as yet.
Seventeen properties continue to be evacuated in the Sportsmens Bowl Road area near Oliver, with another 147 properties on evacuation alert. Four high capacity pumps have been set up to remove water from Park Rill Creek and the Ministry of Transportation and infrastructure are increasing culvert capacity in the area.
Willowbrook, a small rural community west of Oliver has been in a state of local emergency since late March, with one property currently under evacuation alert due to limited access to the property.
The regional district continues to manage the level of Green Lake, southwest of Okanagan Falls as high water levels inundate local vineyards. The potential for a debris flow out of the lake has resulted in 17 properties in the area being placed under evacuation alert.
The regional district is also providing geotechnical assistance to areas with stability issues due to high water tables and runoff. Several other homes in the region have been evacuated due to rock or earth slides and one property in the Green Mountain Road area west of Penticton is under evacuation order die to slope instability.
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