Local state of emergency temporarily in effect.
A local state of emergency has been declared for homes near Mill Creek in Kelowna.
This isn’t necessarily because of flooding, though; it’s simply to allow crews to access some properties in the area and install protective measures against potential flooding.
“We’re only going into specific locations where we feel the need to protect municipal infrastructure,” says COO of the Emergency Operations Center Alan Newcombe. “There could be hundreds of homes along Mill Creek, but there would be very few that we would actually need to access.”
Areas along Mill Creek where work is being done include:
- The lake up to Richter Street
- Brookside Avenue through to Lindahl Street
- Burne Avenue
- Ethel Street to Gordon Drive
With temperatures on the rise and rainfall expected in the higher elevations, the snowpack in the mountains could be melting into the valley in the next three weeks.
This could cause concern for flooding, and residents are reminded that they are responsible for protecting their homes against flooding.
One of the proactive steps they can take is visiting one of the 13 self-serve sandbagging stations around Central Okanagan.
For updates on potential flooding in the region, go to cordemergency.ca.
