(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
May 11, 2017 - 3:20 PM
NORTH OKANAGAN - Residents are being asked to stay away from river and stream banks and avoid boating over the weekend due to a special weather statement and high water levels.
The North Okanagan Regional District issued the request Thursday afternoon, May 11, in light of last week’s flooding and a possible storm this afternoon and overnight.
“With the water this high, the wake created by boating can cause additional water damage to delicate, unprotected shoreline,” Alastair Crick, with the regional district, says in a media release. “For this reason we are asking people to avoid boating this weekend, if possible.”
The public is also asked to stay away from rivers and stream banks, and be cautious if cleaning entrances to culverts due to strong water flows.
For residents in the Regional District electoral areas, water that is threatening a home due to overflowing ditches can be reported to the Ministry of Transportation’s contractor through their 24 hour emergency number: 1-877-546-3799.
If the water is not a threat to the house, residents are asked to wait for natural dissipation of the water, as equipment and staff are limited.
People are also permitted to assist in clearing small blockages in the ditches with hand tools, such as shovels, but no machinery is allowed without Ministry of Transportation authority, the Regional District says.
Any culverts or pipes beneath property access roads are not the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation, but the property owner. People are being reminded to use caution if cleaning entrances to culverts due to hazardous conditions created by strong water flows.
Sand and bags, with shovels for filling bags, are available at the following locations:
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City of Enderby, RDNO Electoral Area F
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Enderby Works Yard 2308 McGowan Ave., Enderby
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RDNO Electoral areas B and C
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BX Swan Lake Fire Dpt. 5764 Silver Star Rd.
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Village of Lumby, RDNO Areas D and E
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Across from Pat Duke Arena, Shields Ave., Lumby
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District of Coldstream
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Coldstream Works Yard - 8010 Aberdeen Road
For more information on protecting your home and property, visit the following resources:
General Emergency Preparedness information and resources are can be found on the B.C. Government website at gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC.
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