Localized Flooding Prompts Responses News Release #21

Localized Flooding May 2017

Kelowna, B.C –  The Emergency Operation Centre is rescinding the following previously issued Evacuation Orders for properties within the City of Kelowna.

  • 184 Adams Road

  • 214 Adams Road

  • 222 Adams Road

  • 1980 Ethel Street

  • 543 Rowcliffe Avenue

  • 3911 Old Vernon Road

Residents and property owners that are no longer under Evacuation Order and are now able to access their property should be aware that they may not have full services.  There are many conditions that must be considered including whether there has been flood/water damage and the status of utilities and electrical/gas service.  Those with property managers should see them to obtain information on the safety and status of their property.

Late last night, an Evacuation Order was expanded for the following 20 properties within Holiday Park Resort, 415 Commonwealth Road: 

  • odd number addresses from 439 to 461 Rest Route

  • odd number addresses from 403 to 417 Water Way

And an Evacuation Order was issued for the following five units at 720 Commonweath Road:

  • 233, 234, 235, 236 and the unit opposite 233

Those residents who didn’t register last night with Emergency Support Services are encouraged to visit the reception centre at the Salvation Army Church, 1480 Sutherland Avenue (corner of Sutherland Avenue and Burtch Road).  It opens this morning at 11:00 am.

Assessments continue on all properties under Evacuation Orders with the goal of returning those properties to their owners as soon as possible.

The BC Government announced yesterday that the Disaster Financial Assistance Program is available to residents of the Central Okanagan that have been affected by the recent flooding.  Applications must be submitted by August 5th to Emergency Management BC and are available online at www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance.  The program provides up to 80% of total eligible damage over $1,000 to a maximum claim of $300,000.

Emergency Management BC has new information available for residents to consider when returning to their home after flooding.  Some areas of importance include the safety of drinking water, safety regarding electrical and gas utilities, food safety and caution surrounding removal of furniture and building materials https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017TRAN0174-001191

The Emergency Operation Centre recommends all sandbags be left in place even if it appears that stream and water levels are dropping.   Conditions and weather can change without notice resulting in a return to high water levels and potential flooding.

Officials continue to monitor the levels and flows of area creeks, streams and lakes.  Residents should use extreme caution and keep children and pets away from creek banks which can be very slippery and subject to erosion.  Water levels and flows may rise unexpectedly.  Boaters are asked to keep speeds down when near the shoreline to reduce potential wake erosion.  As well, they should watch for floating debris flowing into area lakes due to the higher flows.

Travel is not recommended on Chute Lake Road due to washouts and deteriorating conditions.

The following Evacuation Orders and Alerts continue to be in effect: 

Okanagan Indian Band IR#7

  • Order – 415 Commonwealth Road, Holiday Park odd number addresses from 439 to 461 Rest Route

  • Order – 415 Commonwealth Road, Holiday Park odd number addresses from 403 to 417 Water Way

    Order - 720 Commonweath Road, 233, 234, 235, 236 and the unit opposite 233

  • Order - 415 Commonwealth Road, Holiday Park– Beachview building
  • Order

    - 415 Commonwealth Road, Holiday Park – Park Place building

  • Order

    - 7841 Highway 97 – Turtle Lodges 

City of Kelowna (Orders)

  • 1966 Richter St

  • 3545 Bulman Rd

  • 1826 Marshall Street

  • 3897 Casorso Rd

  • 4697 Gordon Dr

  • 1980 Ethel St

  • 1981 Gordon Dr

  • 1824 Marshall St

  • 1237 Pacific Ave

  • 2002 Ethel St

  • 534 Sutherland Avenue

  • 1955 Pacific Court

  • 1915 Pacific Court

  • 1902 Lindahl Street

  • 1936 Lindahl Street

  • 1948 Lindahl Street

  • 1118 Brookside Avenue

  • 1122 Brookside Avenue

  • 1130 Brookside Avenue

Regional District of the Central Okanagan

  • An Evacuation Order for Fintry Provincial Park remains in effect

  • An Evacuation Alert remains in effect for approximately 90 properties inthe 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 on alert 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.

Details and specific addresses can be viewed on the Regional Emergency Program website map www.cordemergency.ca/map.The map also shows locations of sand and sandbags along with road closures due to flooding. 

Declarations of Local States of Emergency remain for the City of Kelowna, the City of West Kelowna and for the Fintry Delta in the Regional District of Central Okanagan to address flooding.

Information on Flood Preparedness and Returning After A Flood

The Preparedness BC website has information to help those property owners with protecting their property from flooding and some considerations for those returning after a flood.  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc_flood_information_for_homeowners_and_home_buyers_web.pdf

Interior Health also has information available for residents to consider Before, During and After a flood:  https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourEnvironment/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Flooding.aspx

Information on flooding and electrical safety is also available for BC Hydro and FortisBC customers:  www.bchydro.com  www.fortisbc.com

The Boil Water Advisory for Westbank First Nation IR#9 continues.   More information and a water system map are available at www.wfn.ca/wfnnews.htm.

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).