Localized Flooding Prompts Responses

Date:   May 6, 2017

Time:  11:55 am

Kelowna, B.C – Emergency crews and municipal staff from throughout the Central Okanagan continue to attend several areas impacted by flood waters.

A local state of emergency has been declared for the City of West Kelowna to address the flooding. No new evacuation orders or alerts have been declared at this time.

Emergency personnel have been conducting tactical evacuations of people throughout Kelowna whose safety is at risk due to flooding. These people have been referred to Emergency Support Services.

Marshall Street in Kelowna is closed due to flooding.

In the interest of safety, the public is asked to respect emergency signage and blockades.

An Evacuation Alert remains 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 Shorts Creek worsen. They may also wish to take steps to protect their properties from potential flooding.

The Evacuation Order issued yesterday for Fintry Provincial Park remains in effect.

An Evacuation Order also remains in effect for two properties on Lakeshore Road in Kelowna – 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. 

The Emergency Support Services reception centre is open at 10:30 a.m. 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.

Westbank First Nation IR#9 is under a Boil Water Advisory. See www.wfn.ca/wfnnews.htm for more information and boundary map.

In West Kelowna, Gellatly Road from Witt Road to the Canyon Springs subdivision remains closed at this time. Shannon Lake Road has been reopened for single alternating traffic from just north of Shannon View Drive to the intersection with Bartley Road.

In Lake Country, Beaver Lake Road is closed.

Sandbag supplies have been replenished for all affected communities and residents can find locations indicated at https://www.cordemergency.ca/map.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised that several roads, walkways and parks throughout the Central Okanagan have standing water or are threatened by flooding and to be extremely cautious near watercourses. Watch for closure signage.

Power will be out for several hours this morning to approximately 475 customers in the lower Gellatly area as BC Hydro replaces a power pole impacted by flooding of Smith Creek along Gellatly Road. Visit www.bchydro.com for updates on the power outage and location map.

For up to date information on the situation including a map and to sign up for e-updates, visit www.cordemergency.ca.

Anyone noticing a potential problem or a flooding concern is asked to call the Kelowna Fire Department at 250-469-8801.

Information will also be provided via the 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).