Flood Watch: Landslides and Lake Levels - News Release #52
Kelowna, B.C – An evacuation order issued Saturday evening, due to a slide, remains in effect until further notice for 17 properties below Kilkenny Place in the Killiney Beach subdivision of the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.
No one was hurt in the slide, which appears to have impacted at least one home. Eight people received assistance from Emergency Support Services volunteers in Vernon.
Slope stability assessments began Saturday night and are continuing Sunday to determine when residents can safely return to their homes.
The Province of British Columbia’s Emergency Management website offers helpful information on protecting your property from, and recognizing the danger signs of landslides. Visit:
Approximately 400 people remain evacuated. Emergency officials are constantly assessing possible changes in the status of remaining evacuation orders and alerts based on a variety of conditions including weather and the impact it has on lake water levels which are continuing to rise and levels and flows of area creeks. The inconvenience and stress posed to those people forced from their homes and properties is always top of mind. Any change to Evacuation Orders will be made only when it is safe to allow residents to return to their homes.
With water levels at record highs and snow remaining in the high elevation watersheds, the potential for flooding due to rain, wind or warm temperatures is still a risk. These conditions for area lakes and creeks are expected to last well into June.
All residents, including those no longer on order or alert, are reminded to keep sandbags in place until the flood watch event has fully ended. Residents with lakefront properties and next to beach edges should not remove the debris along their property, as it can act as a barricade against rising waters and minimize erosion.
Boaters are reminded that lake levels are high and they should watch for floating debris as a significant amount has been flowing down streams and into area lakes. Boaters should also keep their distance from shorelines and if possible keep speeds down as additional wave action could cause disturbance to banks and beaches.
To view the most up to date information, go to www.cordemergency.ca and view maps. Unless conditions change, updates will be posted daily at 11 a.m.
