With weather reports calling for a warming trend over the next 36 hours in the North Okanagan, flood fears are easing.
“This is expected to bring some relief to the water flows in our area,” said Gord Molendyk, information officer for the North Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre.
A high stream advisory remains in effect for the Shuswap River at the present time, and is expected to carry through the weekend.
“We are hopeful the worst is over however with rainfall expected starting on (Monday) the Emergency Operations Center remains open at standby level one,” said Molendyk. “That means personnel are on a one hour call back status.”
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) advised the geotechnical assessment of the damaged section of Enderby Mabel Lake Road has been completed and repair work is expected to commence shortly, with no firm completion date.
Due to high water flows in BX Creek the geotechnical assessments of East Vernon and Tillicum road closure sites have not yet been completed. MOTI will monitor creek levels and schedule geotechnical assessments as soon as conditions permit. There is no timeline available for repairs at these two sites.
The situation is worse in Kelowna, where residents in a 30-unit rental unit in Walnut Grove on Truswell Road were evacuated Thursday, but have since been allowed back home. City crews worked through the night to deliver 30 loads of rock to stabilize a failing retaining wall along Mission Creek.
On the Westside, in the Fintry Delta area, Shorts Creek is on alert due to an erosion concern and high water flow.
“Kelowna is struggling of course but we are OK,” said Molendyk. “Everything is good here, we hope it stays that way.”
Should anything change in our region the local media will be advised and notifications will be sent out to the public. The public is reminded they can check the following web sites for any updates or changes in conditions in our region.
The Regional District of the North Okanagan ( www.rdno.ca)
