Emergency Support Services update
Kelowna, B.C. – The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre is supporting evacuees who need assistance through Emergency Support Services. Those on Evacuation Order must register online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca. Those on Evacuation Alert are strongly advised to pre-register at the same website, in the event they are upgraded to an Evacuation Order.
Evacuees are encouraged to connect with family and friends for temporary accommodation. Those who have a place to stay should still register at https://ess.gov.bc.ca, and indicate if additional supports outside of lodging are needed.
After registering online, evacuees who need lodging or others supports can attend the reception centre nearest them to speak with an ESS volunteer. The three reception centres are:
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Royal LePage Place at 2760 Cameron Road in West Kelowna
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Kal Tire Place at 3445 43 Avenue in Vernon
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Princess Margaret Secondary School, 120 Green Ave West, in Penticton
All reception centres are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The reception centres are experiencing significant volumes of people registering and volunteers are working to process applications for support as quickly as possible. ESS teams will get to everyone’s applications and patience is appreciated. Currently, the priority is for those needing lodging and accommodation. People who have other supports with family and friends are not required to visit a reception centre.
Evacuees who do require lodging should register online and visit a reception centre. A variety of accommodations will be offered, whether hotel/motel, group lodging or a dormitory, depending on household size, needs and available lodging types.
If you have home or tenant insurance, you may already have coverage for accommodations and supports under your insurance policy. If your insurance policy information isn’t readily available, please call your local broker or the Insurance Bureau Canada Western Branch 1-844-227-5422 (leave a detailed message) to track down your policy information.
Prospera Place in downtown Kelowna is NOT a reception centre. It is a group lodging centre, a location for reprieve from the smoke and is prioritized for evacuees.
Residents are asked to stay up to date through the CORD emergency site and also subscribe to receive e-updates. Go online to cordermegency.ca. View the up-to-date evacuation order and alert areas on cordemergency.ca/map.
For more information, contact the information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
For municipal and local government information such as boat launch, park and road closures, visit their websites:
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http://facebook.com/cordemergency
