Local Flooding Prompts Response News Release #6
Kelowna, B.C. – An Evacuation Order has been issued for two properties on Lakeshore Road – 6214 and 6490 due to a landslide. The landslide has crossed the road blocking access and egress to six properties at the very south end of Lakeshore Road – 6550, 6620, 6850, 6950, 7050, 7990, 8000 and 8888 Lakeshore Road.
A planned emergency power outage to repair a power pole along Gellatly Road has been delayed until tomorrow morning to ensure safe conditions for BC Hydro workers. BC Hydro plans to replace the pole that was compromised due to flooding of nearby Smith Creek beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. BC Hydro anticipates 437 customers along Gellatly Road will be without power for four to six hours.
An Emergency Support Services reception centre has been set up at the Salvation Army at 1480 Sutherland Avenue, corner of Burtch Road and Sutherland Avenue, to provide information to residents impacted by flooding. Citizens who are on Evacuation Order are asked to register.
Sand bags are no longer available at local fire halls for the public and the Emergency Operations Centre will advise when supplies are restocked.
Regional District of Central Okanagan
An Evacuation Alert has been put in place affecting approximately 90 properties in the Fintry Delta area, just south of Fintry Provincial Park. Properties that are affected by the Alert include those in the delta accessed by Fintry Delta Road, Morden Road and Shorts Road.
Residents in this area should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should conditions along Short’s Creek worsen. They may also wish to take steps to protect their properties from potential flooding.
The Evacuation Order issued earlier today for Fintry Provincial Park remains in effect.
Local government works and emergency personnel continue to assess and respond to reports of localized flooding throughout the Cities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, the Ellison area and those in Fintry off Westside Road.
Property owners are responsible for taking steps and having the necessary equipment to protect their properties from flooding.
Sand is available for City of Kelowna residents at 1948 Lindahl Street, the corner of Richter Street and Rowcliffe Avenue and to the Cook Street boat launch for residents who need to fill sand bags to protect their property from flooding.
Sand is also available for West Kelowna residents at Falcon Park on Green Bay Road, Casa Loma Beach Park on Casa Loma Road and Pebble Beach Park at the end of Whitworth Road.
North Westside residents may fill sand bags at the main firehall in Shorts Creek. Sand is available for Joe Rich residents at the Joe Rich Fire Rescue hall at 11481 Highway 33.
A number of roads in the Central Okanagan have been affected by flooding. In the District of Lake Country, a portion of Beaver Lake Road is closed. In the City of Kelowna Bulman Road remains closed from Shadow Ridge golf course to Heron Road. In the City of West Kelowna, Gellatly Road is closed from the Canyon Ridge subdivision to the intersection with Witt Road due to flooding of Powers and Smith Creeks. And Westside Road has single lane alternating traffic near the North Westside Firehall at Short’s Creek as debris is being cleared from the creek.
Creeks and streams are continuing to rise and see increased flows, residents are advised to use extra care and attention around local creeks. Hikers and walkers should be aware that fast moving water may cause some creek bank erosion and creek bank edges may not be stable. Anyone wishing to canoe or raft should check their route from land before setting out to ensure debris is not caught near culverts or under bridges.
Boaters are encouraged to keep their boat speed down to prevent shoreline erosion and to watch for any floating debris that may be deposited in area lakes from fast flowing tributaries.
Crews will continue to monitor trouble spots clearing culverts, beaver dams and other blockages that could lead to flooding. Anyone noticing a potential problem or a flooding concern is asked to call the Kelowna Fire Department at 250-469-8801.
For up to date information on the situation including a map and to sign up for e-updates, visit www.cordemergency.ca.
Information will also be provided via https://twitter.com/CO_Emerg and https://www.facebook.com/CORDEmergency/. For more information contact the Information Office at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
