Flood Watch for Central Okanagan Areas News Release #42
Based on the current forecast and predictive elevation modelling, properties in the following Kelowna and West Kelowna areas have a potential risk for flooding. Please refer to Flood Watch maps, located below the interactive map, for details.
- Areas adjacent to Okanagan Lake
- Lower Mission - Kelowna
- Mill Creek - Kelowna
- McKinley Landing & Okanagan Centre – Kelowna/Lake Country
- Pritchard Drive - West Kelowna
- Green Bay - West Kelowna
- Gellatly - West Kelowna/Westbank First Nation
- Jennens Road - West Kelowna
- Casa Loma - West Kelowna
In addition, low lying areas adjacent to Kalamalka, Ellison/Duck and Wood Lakes have been identified as potential for flooding. Maps of this area will be provided as they become available.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to take appropriate measures to protect their property. This is not an Evacuation Alert rather a notice to indicate a risk of flooding.
Flooding may not be contained to the Flood Watch area indicated on the map. Properties not within the Flood Watch perimeter that have historically flooded during high water events or are located in low lying areas near creeks or lakes throughout the region also have the potential for flooding. All properties in low lying areas near creeks and lakes should also take precautionary measures.
Things to do include:
- Sign up for e-updates at cordemergency.ca to receive up to date information
- Sandbag the areas you want protected
- Remove items from below-ground basements and crawlspaces to higher ground
Sand is being constantly replenished. Check cordemergency.ca/map for updated information regarding sand and sandbags. Residents who notice sand running out at a location can contact the Information Office at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
This is a weather driven event and conditions can change quickly. The situation is complex due to the weather, multiple jurisdictions and incidents. We are experiencing a complex set of inputs (weather, history etc.) making predictions very challenging and ever changing.
Crews continue to monitor all waterways 24/7 including motorized monitoring along Mission Creek Greenway. Every effort is being made to allow water to flow through its natural channels by bolstering the Mission Creek dyke, creating a diversion on Bellevue Creek, placing heavy equipment in strategic areas and clearing log jams and culverts. Emergency Operations Staff continue to do advanced planning for a variety of scenarios. The Canadian Forces met with Emergency Operations Center staff today in preparation for the arrival of an advanced planning team. In addition, Provincial forestry crews are assisting with filling sandbags as availability allows.
Westbank First Nation has declared a State of Local Emergency. Declarations of Local States of Emergency remain for the City of Kelowna, the City of West Kelowna, and the electoral areas of Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West in the Regional District of Central Okanagan to address flooding.
For up to date information on the situation including a map and to sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca. Information will also be provided via the https://twitter.com/CO_Emerg and https://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency/ or by phone at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
