Forecast Strong Winds to Test Waterfront Protection News Release #68
Waterfront flood protection measures could face an additional test in the coming days if forecast strong winds come to reality. And if they haven’t already, that’s a pretty good reason for lakefront property owners to install defenses.
This afternoon, Okanagan Lake rose enough to edge over the 1990 lake flood level of 342.87 metres. Water levels continue to rise and are expected to remain extremely high into July.
Winds from 40 to 60 kilometres per hour are forecast to move into the Central Okanagan tomorrow evening continuing into Wednesday morning. The result would be wind-driven wave action along the shoreline of the region’s lakes. Further complicating the weather picture is possible heavy rain during thunderstorms as a cold front moves through.
Waterfront property owners who haven’t taken measures to protect their structures and properties from flooding should do so. Warmer than normal temperatures expected through tomorrow will speed up the volume of snow melting at the higher elevation watersheds, further boosting flows of area creeks contributing to ever increasing lake levels.
To check whether a property needs flood protection, go to the Flood FAQs section of www.cordemergency.ca/beprepared, to get directions on how to measure for flood levels and build barriers to the appropriate height to account for both lake level flooding and wave action.
A detailed shoreline survey and surveillance flights were done by the Emergency Operations Centre to determine where flooding will likely occur up to 343.6m – the projected Okanagan Lake flood level (343m), plus the buffer for wave action. Officials observed that many at-risk lakefront properties lack adequate foreshore protection to this level.
Sandbagging stations are stocked and replenished daily at several locations throughout the Central Okanagan. Volunteers are still welcome at sand piles to help with filling and loading sandbags. Visit www.cordemergency.ca/map to find the location closest to you.
The Evacuation Order continues for two properties along Marchbank Road in the North Westside area of the Regional District. It will be rescinded when mitigation efforts are in place and it is again safe. Three residents from one property are affected while the second property was not occupied.
The Emergency Operations Centre thanks all the crews from the BC Wildfire Service for their efforts across the Central Okanagan filling, loading and building sandbag defences and helping residents in need as they protect their properties. Boaters across the Central Okanagan also deserve credit for helping to reduce potential shoreline erosion by keeping speeds and wakes down throughout the long weekend. And an especially big thank you to those who chose other activities, not going out on area lakes. Boating is still not recommended as lake levels are moving closer to the predicted 343-metre flood mark and with the vast amount of floating and submerged debris and docks.
Find information on flood preparation, including sand and sandbag locations, how to effectively build sandbag walls and secure docks at www.cordemergency.ca/beprepared/flood-faq. For municipal information such as boat launches, park and beach closures, visit their websites:
