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UPDATE: Flooding imminent late Thursday

Flood concerns have officials being proactive in Kelowna and Lake Country
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UPDATE: 1:01 p.m.

More than 190 residences remain on evacuation order throughout the area and evacuation alerts are in place along Vernon Creek from Mayrus Road to Wood Lake and in Lake Country east of Highway 97 to Lodge Road between Wood Lake and Konschun Road.

Use the map at cordemergency.ca to search for the status of specific addresses.

Flooding is imminent starting late Thursday as a result of rain, rising temperatures and melting snow pack while the ground is already saturated. Residents who experienced flooding last weekend will likely see flooding again and additional properties in low-lying areas near creeks and lakes will likely be affected.

Residents who are on evacuation order are asked to register at the Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception center located at the Salvation Army at 1480 Sutherland Avenue. Due to a shortage of accomodations, particularly over the weekend, evacuees with RV’s, trailers or campers are encouraged to use them, although they should still register with the ESS.

Mission Creek Greenway is closed between KLO Road and Gordon Drive to allow crews to raise the height of the dike. With the potential of record creek levels later this week, this is one of many proactive measures being taken to try and mitigate potential damage.

The Emergency Operations Centre planning team and staff from across the Central Okanagan have been working around the clock to respond to last week’s event and are now preparing for increasing water levels expected by the end of this week. Citizens also need to be proactive and take steps to protect their properties.

Be Prepared

Citizens can take measures to minimize damage likely removing items from basements and be prepared to leave by gathering all essential items such as medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance) and immediate care needs for dependants and having these items readily available for quick departure; preparing to move any disabled persons and/or children; moving pets and livestock to a safe area; and arranging accommodation for your family if possible. Sign up for e-updates at cordemergency.ca for the most current information regarding the floods.

Citizens should keep in place and bolster all protective measures put in place to date due to forecast. Citizens who live in low lying areas near creeks and lakes that may be susceptible to flooding should also take preventative measures to protect their properties.

Sand locations

Sandbags are available at City of Kelowna Fire Station #1 at 2255 Enterprise Way. Sand and sandbags are available at Swalwell Park in Lake Country. Sand is available outside the Hotel Eldorado on Cook Road in Kelowna and on Commonwealth Road by Holiday Park in Lake Country. In West Kelowna sand is available at 1341 Green Bay Road, 2606 Casa Loma, 1651 Pritchard Drive, 4081 Hitchner Road and in Pebble Park at 2589 Whitworth Road. Sand and sandbags will be replenished throughout the day. Please check cordemergency.ca for updates on sand locations throughout the day.