UPDATE: May 11 10:55 a.m.
Kelowna, B.C – Residents preparing for possible flooding in the Central Okanagan can find sand and sandbags at the following locations:
In Kelowna:
Empty Sandbags
- City of Kelowna Fire Station #1 at 2255 Enterprise Way
- Sand & Sandbags:
- Burne Avenue, west of Ethel Street at Mill Creek
- 221 Adams Road – North Reeds Corner area (Industrial Park)
- 1870 Maple Street – Downtown area
- 1118 Brookside Road – Capri area
- Radant Road (two sites) – Mission area
Pre-filled Sandbags, Sand and Sand Bags
- End of Bluebird Road – Mission area
- Truswell Road – Mission area
- Cook Road Boat Launch outside the Hotel Eldorado – Mission
- Rowcliffe Avenue at Richter Street – Downtown/Sutherland
- Burtch Road – Apple Bowl Parking Lot
West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation residents:
Sand and Sandbags
- 1341 Green Bay Road
- 2606 Casa Loma
- Pritchard Park at 1587 Pritchard Drive
- 4081 Hitchner Road
- Pebbles Beach Park at 2589 Whitworth Road
Lake Country:
Sand and Sandbags
- Swalwell Park at 9950 Bottom Wood Lake Road
- Deldor Rd at Mayrus Rd
- Beasley Park on Woodsdale Road
Sand
- Okanagan Centre Fire Hall (10591 Okanagan Centre Rd. East)
Peachland:
Sandbags
- Peachland Fire Department at 4401 3rd Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Outside of these times and on Weekends, please call fire dispatch at 250-469-8801 to arrange a pick up time.
Sand
- At the end of Chidley Road
RDCO Electoral area residents:
Sand and Sandbags
- Ellison Fire Department – 4411 Old Vernon Road
- North Westside Fire Rescue – Short’s Creek Firehall, Westside Road (call 250-545-1195 to arrange pick up. (Fintry, Valley of the Sun, Killiney, West Shore)
- Wilson’s Landing Fire Department – 2396 Westside Road North (Trader’s Cove)
- Joe Rich Fire Rescue Main hall 11481 Highway 33
- Goudie hall 6550 Goudie Road
- Please check cordemergency.ca for updates on sand locations throughout the day.
ORIGINAL STORY: 7:39 p.m. May 11.
Emergency response crews monitored areas affected by flooding overnight. At this time, all Evacuation Alerts and Orders remain in effect. For updated orders, alerts and other locations, visit www.cordemergency.ca/map.
A combination of rain and spring snow melt over the next few days will lead to rising water levels, likely to peak later today, and will increase the risk of flooding. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Center, emergency personnel and volunteers are working around the clock, planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and citizens should do the same.
The River Forecast Centre issues streamflow advisories and warnings when necessary to provide alerts to potential flood conditions in the stream systems of the province. Please refer to the River Forecast Centre website for updated streamflow advisories or warnings:.
Be Prepared
Aside from sandbagging, citizens can take measures to minimize damage by:
- removing items from below-ground basements and crawlspaces
- being prepared to leave at a moment’s notice by gathering all essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance) and immediate care needs for dependants
- preparing to move any disabled persons and/or children, and pets and/or livestock to a safe area
- arranging accommodation for your family, if possible
- signing up for e-updates at www.cordemergency.ca for the most current information regarding the flood
Citizens should keep in place and bolster all protective measures put in place to date due to the forecast. Citizens who live in low-lying areas and near creeks and lakes that may be susceptible to flooding should also take preventative measures to protect their properties.
Sand and Sandbags
Sand and sandbags are available at 25 locations throughout the Central Okanagan. Sand and sandbags will be replenished throughout the day. Please check www.cordemergency.ca/map for updates on sand locations throughout the day.
For tips on filling and placing sandbags, visit www.cordemergency.ca/beprepared/flood-faq.
Safety
Quickly flowing water and the adjacent riverbanks are potentially unsafe. Don’t approach washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts, and keep away from creek and river banks.
Water Quality Advisories
A number of Water Quality Advisories and Boil Water Notices are in place throughout the Central Okanagan. Check with your water service provider for the most up-to-date information.
Anyone noticing a potential problem or a flooding concern is asked to call the Kelowna Fire Department at 250-469-8801.
For up to date information on the situation including a map and to sign up for e-updates, visit www.cordemergency.ca. 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).
