FILE PHOTO: Carole and Karl Giesbrecht gather belongings from their lakeshore summer home on Okanagan Indian Band land May 24, 2017, after receiving an evacuation order.

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

NORTH OKANAGAN - Impacts are growing for those in the Vernon area as Okanagan Lake continues its steady rise.

The Okanagan Indian Band has expanded its set of evacuation orders (see full list below) and asks that evacuees leave immediately and register at the reception centre in Vernon.

The City of Vernon, meanwhile, issued a warning yesterday evening, May 31, telling people near streams, lakes and in low-lying areas to take precautions to protect their property.

Okanagan Lake could rise another 10 centimetres, according to the city. The lake is not expected to peak until mid-June.

Due to the high water and possibility of lakeshore erosion and flooding, boaters are being strongly discouraged from using the lake. It appears from an RCMP media release, however, that not everyone is heeding the appeal.

Over the past week, residents along the west side of Okanagan Lake in the Vernon area and in the Okanagan Indian Band area have reported repeated incidents of boaters running too close to shore causing damaging wakes, RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says in a release.  

“Waterfront property owners from Vernon to Penticton have conveyed to emergency authorities that they are dismayed and frustrated by the lack of consideration shown by some boaters as they contend with trying to minimize damage caused by the flooding and continuing high water,” Moskaluk says in the release.
 
Given the continued high water levels combined with the amount of debris on the lake, it’s advisable to all to simply stay off of the lake for the time being, Moskaluk says.

“If you do go out, stay at least 30 metres from shore if not more and keep an eye as to not create a wake. Please be mindful of others and the dire situation that they are in,” Moskaluk says.

OKANAGAN INDIAN BAND EVACUATION ORDERS

• William Marchand Lots 1-6 (Issued May 22, 2017)
• Bobby Marchand, Sandra Saddleman, Darryl Marchand Beachfront Properties (Issued May 23,2017)
• Willow Shore Road Beachfronts #1-20 (Issued May 23, 2017)
• Naswhito Beachfront: Imtil Road Lots 33 & 34-Alexis Beach on Sq/Q’im Road Lots #35-43 (Issued May 23, 2017)
• 3 Lots North and 3 Lots South of Whiteman’s Creek (Issued May 23, 2017)
• Louis Estates Beachfront Lots 25-Lots 66 (Issued May 23, 2017)
• Jack Road-Beachfront Lots 19-31

For the latest updates from the Okanagan Indian Band Emergency Operations Centre on check out the band's website.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017