With the shift in weather from snowfall earlier this week to rainfall and above-zero temperatures today, the melt is on and reports of localized flooding are starting to surface around the region.

“We have had reports of some localized flooding in Wardner, Fort Steele, Meadowbrook, Wasa and Dicken Road in the Fernie area,” says Regional District of East Kootenay Information Officer Loree Duczek. “We are currently mobilizing sand and sandbags for the Wardner area as we do have some overland flooding affecting four or five homes in that community and will be assessing the need for other sandbags on an ongoing basis during this rapid melt cycle.”

The City of Cranbrook is currently keeping a close eye on rising Joseph Creek, with other low lying areas in the city experiencing localized flooding. There are also reports of flooding in basements in the City of Fernie.

Duczek is also encouraging residents who are in flood prone areas, or who anticipate they may experience widespread flooding, to keep the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre phone number handy. “The first call anyone makes should be to the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre at 1-800-663-3456. The Emergency Communications Centre notifies the appropriate officials and this is the best way to alert our emergency program personnel if required.”

Emergency Management BC also has some good information on its website – http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/floods/index.html

“As we mobilize resources around the region, we will continue to keep people informed via the local media, on our RDEK Facebook page, and through our email groups,” adds Duczek.

RDEK/e-KNOW

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