Update Wednesday, April 29:
The boil water advisory for properties on Hutchcroft Street, Hill Street, Higdon Avenue and Harcourt Avenue has been lifted.
“Water tests returned stating the water is safe to consume,” according to the City of Quesnel’s website. “Properties may experience discoloured water, please run your taps on cold until the water runs clear.”
Original story from Monday, April 27:
After the City of Quesnel ordered a state of local emergency April 24, the risk of flooding along Baker Creek continues to be an issue in West Quesnel.
“The City is responding to water and sewer line damage, as well as erosion along the banks of Baker Creek,” according to a post on the City’s website Monday, April 27. “They are continually monitoring the situation and updates will be provided as they become available. Baker Creek water levels are high and flowing extremely fast. It is important for the public to avoid all areas of Baker Creek, including Wilma Hanson Park to ensure the safety of the public and the crews on-site.”
The City has now created a dedicated web page for the Baker Creek flooding.
As of Monday, April 27, residents living on Hutchcroft Street, Hill Street, Higdon Avenue and Harcourt Avenue are under a boil water advisory because an emergency water main repair is affecting their drinking water supply. The water main near Baker Creek broke Friday, April 24.
“At this time, repairs have been completed and crews are flushing the water mains and collecting water quality samples,” the City stated April 27 on its website. “Reduced water pressure and service interruptions can be expected.”
Water quality sampling results are not yet available, and until further notice, residents in these neighbourhoods must consider the water from their tap unsafe unless it is boiled rapidly for two minutes, or otherwise disinfected, before drinking, brushing teeth, washing food and other use.
For more information, call the City of Quesnel at 250-992-6330.
On Saturday, April 25, the City of Quesnel issued an evacuation order for one property on Hutchcroft Road due to major erosion behind the property, caused by Baker Creek’s high water flow.
Along with the broken water main, the high water levels along Baker Creek also caused a large power outage Thursday, April 23, as flooding caused trees along the creek’s banks to fall, bringing power lines down into the creek itself.
Flooding is also currently occurring on the Johnston Bridge Loop, and the City closed the loop to traffic on April 24.
Southbound traffic can detour through the railway crossing, while northbound traffic will need to detour through Johnston Subdivision and North Star Road. Travellers crossing south must approach the railway crossing from Legion Drive. Only southbound traffic is permitted across Johnston Bridge.
READ MORE: City of Quesnel orders local state of emergency due to risk of flooding along Baker Creek
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