Some of our image-laden pages may load more slowly depending on your internet service. Patience if they don't display immediately. You'll be glad you waited.

South Okanagan Photos

Update – evacuation order remains in effect

At Testalinda Creek – work has resumed – Sunday 5pm

10 residents have registered at the Reception Centre at this time. 8 are in lodgings and 2 have found their own accommodations. Affected residents are asked to register as per press release. The phone number is 250-809-6561 for the Reception Centre.

At this time the Reception Centre is located in Penticton. Emergency Social Services makes the call on the Reception Centre location based on a number of factors including local availability of rooms.

The order was timed at 8:30 pm last night but was amended after that to reduce the total number of homes affected. The media release was sent at about 10:30 pm last night as per Gillian’s e-mail below.

We are asking for help from the media this morning to let people know to report potential debris in creeks. The 2015 fire has weakened slopes and other creeks in the area could become a concern.

If residents see a creek moving larger branches, trees or boulders they should contact the Provincial Emergency hotline at 1-800-663-3456. If there is an immediate risk to lives or property then residents should phone 911.

Cameron Baughen, RDOS

Mess in irrigation canal – result of creek jumping its banks – Sunday 4:30 pm

***

Warmer weather is rapidly melting this year’s high snow pack. Water flushing from the hills raises the potential of debris floods in local creeks. Debris in creeks can block culverts and divert water. Homes and agricultural areas can be damaged and people, pets and lifestock can be put at risk.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is asking residents to watch local creeks for debris. If residents see the creek moving larger branches, trees or boulders they should contact the Provincial Emergency hotline at 1-800-663-3456. If there is an immediate risk to lives or property then residents should phone 911.

Dale Kronebusch, RDOS Emergency Service Supervisor, says after several weeks of heavy rains, creeks are already at seasonally high levels. Banks of creeks are saturated making them easier to wash out. Warmer tempatures are now releasing water from upland snow packs.

“We’ve seen Tinhorn and Testalinden Creeks, in the Oliver area, release debris floods in the past few weeks,” warns Kronebusch. “We could see more in this area as the 2015 forest fires weakened tree roots that hold up creek banks. We are asking for the public’s help to identify debris in creeks so we can quickly remove it before it becomes a flooding issue.”

South of Oliver, 11 properties remain on Evacuation Order along Tinhorn Creek along Road 8 and Road 9. A further 19 properties remain on Evacuation Alert near Tinhorn Creek and along Testalinden Creek. A further 9 homes remain on Evacuation Alert due to flooding in the Twin Lakes area near Kaleden.