UPDATED FLOOD WATCH 2017: Blocked creek threatens properties near Oliver | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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UPDATED FLOOD WATCH 2017: Blocked creek threatens properties near Oliver

Flooding along Tinhorn Creek.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

UPDATE: 5:20 p.m. Sunday, Ma21, 2017

OLIVER - The evacuation order issued last night has been rescinded.

The properties that were under the order are now under an alert, according to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

The 15 addresses now under evacuation alert due to Tinhorn Creek are:

  • 450 Road 8
  • 152, 212, 238, 242, 250, 278, 280, 292, 298, 306, 321, 339, 350, and 385 Road 9
  • 5046 HIGHWAY 97

Residents of these properties are able to return home, but need to be prepared for immediate evacuation.

Last night 10 residents were evacuated from the area.

1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017

OLIVER - A dozen addresses have been given an evacuation order south of Oliver after a creek was redirected by debris.

Tinhorn Creek was redirected when debris washed down by high creek flows blocked culverts yesterday, May 20. Police visited homes last night to make sure residents and workers were evacuated, according to a press release from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

There are 11 properties with 12 addresses under the order:

  • 450 Road 8
  • 152, 212, 238, 242, 250, 278, 280, 292, 298, 306 and 350 Road 9

A reception centre at the Penticton Community Centre was set up for those evacuated. Anyone who is a resident of one of the addresses listed is asked to register with the centre by calling 250-809-6591.

Four more properties are under an evacuation alert:

  • 5046 Highway 97
  • 385, 339 and 321 Road 9

In addition to the properties currently under evacuation alerts and orders, the regional district is warning residents to be vigilant around any creek in the area as high water flows are bringing increased debris into the creeks which may cause new blockages.

If you see a creek being blocked or moving larger branches, trees or boulders, contact the provincial emergency hotline — 1-800-663-3456.

Also, be aware that creek banks may be unstable as ground is saturated with water, making washouts more likely.

“We’ve seen Tinhorn and Testalinden Creeks, in the Oliver area, release debris floods in the past few weeks,”  regional district Emergency Service Supervisor Dale Kronebusch says in a press release. “We could see more in this area as the 2015 forest fires weakened tree roots that hold up creek banks. We are asking for the public’s help to identify debris in creeks so we can quickly remove it before it becomes a flooding issue.”

— This story was updated at 5:20 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017 to include new information from the regional district about .


To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017
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