Two new Evacuation and Warmer Tempereatures Will Add to Rising Water Levels
Two new Evacuation Alerts have been issued for some waterfront properties in the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation.
West Kelowna
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1302 to 1454 Green Bay Road
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3660 to 3697 Green Bay Landing
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3575 to 3636 Wiig Road
Westbank First Nation IR#10
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Waterfront lots from the W.R. Bennett Bridge north to Old Ferry Wharf Road
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Several lakefront cabins on Lindley Road
Residents in these affected areas should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice should conditions along the waterfront change. If they haven’t already, they may also wish to take steps to protect their properties from potential flooding by sandbagging and moving any items from crawlspaces and basements.
For detailed information about these Evacuation Alerts please visit the Regional Emergency Program website map: www.cordemergency.ca/map.
An afternoon of sunshine is expected to duplicate itself through the weekend. Combined with rising daytime temperatures into the 30’s, we can expect to see more high elevation snowpack melting and flowing into some creeks and into area lakes raising levels further, although the rate of rise is predicted to slow over the next day or so.
Property owners are still encouraged to protect their structures and properties to the recommended level of 343.6 metres. That 60 additional centimeter buffer allows for potential wave action, weather related conditions and any additional levels that may fluctuate around the 343 metre mark that was initially predicted for Okanagan Lake.
To help with protecting private properties to the recommended 343.6 metre mark, go to the Flood FAQs section of www.cordemergency.ca/beprepared. It has 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.
Sand and sandbags are continually being replenished at locations throughout the Central Okanagan to help those in need. Find detailed information on sand pile locations and information about vulnerable areas throughout the region at www.cordemergency.ca/map.
From May 8th through this afternoon, 566 truckloads of sand have been delivered to these locations across the region. As well, more than 930,000 sandbags have been ordered.
People who would like to help their neighbours of those residents filling sandbags are encouraged to stop by any of the various sand and sandbag spots.
Boating on area lakes is still discouraged due to potential debris hazards and the shoreline erosion impact of any waves that are generated. In addition, with some area creeks and streams expected to rise over the next week with melting snow, recreational trail users should use caution, stay back from creekbanks and watch for unexpected rapid flow and level increases.
For municipal information such as boat launches, park and beach closures and water quality advisories, visit their websites:
