With flood waters rising, the Westbank First Nation has declared a state of emergency on its reserve lands.
The WFN is asking its residents to be prepared for an emergency situation on its reserve lands IR #9 and #10.
As part of the special declaration, the WFN has “delegated (emergency) powers to…the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre subject to the involvement of the WFN chief and council.”
CORD’s emergency operations centre says sandbags are available for use in West Kelowna and by the WFN at the following locations:
1341 Green Bay Road
2606 Casa Loma
Pritchard Park at 1587 Pritchard Drive
4081 Hitchner Road
Pebbles Beach Park at 2589 Whitworth Road
Cougar Road and Elk Road (across from WFN Works Yard)
515 Hwy 97 South – across from Sneena Road) WFN Government Office
Residents in the Central Okanagan can get prepared for possible emergency evacuation by creating a 72 Hour Emergency Grab and Go Kit. Residents are also being asked to limit the amount of water drained into sewer systems.
Your Grab and Go Kit should include:
Food (ready to eat) and water
Flashlight and batteries
AM/FM radio
Medications
Seasonal clothing
Blanket
Cell phone charger
Pen and notepad
Personal toiletries
Small First-Aid kit
Extra pair of glasses or contacts
Cash in small bills
Local map with your family meeting place identified
Whistle
Residents with pets should also consider including supplies for their pets.
All Central Okanagan residents are being asked to limit the amount of water going down drains to limit the strain on wastewater systems.
Residents can prepare for possible flooding of their properties by sandbagging areas of concern. Residents preparing for possible flooding in the Central Okanagan can find sand and sandbags at the following locations: