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Self-fill sandbags in place with rainfall in forecast
With the potential for heavy rain through the early part of next week and the ongoing BC River Forecast Centre Flood Watch for the East Kootenay, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is urging residents to stay aware and prepared as there is a potential for localized flooding, impacts on area highways, and rapid changes within waterways.
The RDEK Flood Response Unit will be monitoring conditions through the weekend and the RDEK is encouraging residents who live in flood-prone areas to take steps to be prepared in the event the region does experience localized flooding. Self-fill sandbag stations have been set up in the following locations:
Columbia Valley area
o Fairmont Hot Springs: Behind the old barn at Mountainside Golf Course on Hot Springs Road.
o Windermere: Windermere Fire Hall parking lot.
Elk Valley area
o Fernie: Railway Avenue (next to the operations facility).
o Hosmer: Elk River Inn parking lot (Hwy 3 at 6th Avenue).
Cranbrook & Kimberley area
o Cranbrook: Public Works Yard on Cobham Avenue.
o Kimberley: Centennial Centre – 100 4th Avenue.
The sandbag stations have sand and bags; however, residents need to bring their own shovels and gloves. Additional sandbag stations will be set up around the region as conditions warrant.
The Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has also been activated to support any regional response and the EOC team is in regular communication with the River Forecast Centre and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
A Flood Watch means river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bank full, and flooding may occur. Although the rainfall modelling is quite variable, Environment Canada is forecasting that rainfall totals have the potential to be 40-80mm across the East Kootenay, and as high as 110mm in the Elk Valley.
“While the rain amounts are uncertain, with river levels are already running high, it is critical that people use extreme caution around all waterways. River and creek banks can also be highly unstable during high water, so we urge people to stay well back,” said Loree Duczek, RDEK Communications Manager.
Though the heaviest rainfall isn’t forecast to settle into the region until Sunday and Monday, the RDEK is stressing the importance of preparing in advance of the potential weather. “This is the time for people to prepare, no matter where you live. Know the numbers to call, make sure you are checking road conditions before heading out and leave additional time to get to your destination, have a family emergency plan, and take steps now to protect your property from flooding if you are in a low-lying area,” added Duczek.
Starting Saturday, May 30, the RDEK will be closing the St. Mary’s Park at St. Mary Lake and Areas 5 and 6 at Wycliffe Regional Park due to high water. These areas will remain closed until water levels have receded.
Access to more resources can be found on the Personal Preparedness page on www.rdek.bc.ca.
To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, build an emergency kit or create a family emergency plan, visit www.PreparedBC.ca. To report wide-scale flooding, call 250-489-9677.
The RDEK continues to urge all those who have not already done so to sign up for the regional Evacuation Notification System, which notifies registrants by landline, mobile phone or text in the event their property or marked location is within an evacuation alert or order area. Registration instructions and more information are available on the Emergency Information page on www.rdek.bc.ca.
RDEK
