Hosmer – The evacuation orders in Hosmer have been rescinded and residents were allowed to return home this afternoon. Anyone unable to return home due to power/gas outages can contact Marianne Stone at the Fernie Chamber between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to request an extension in Emergency Social Services Assistance. The Forest Service Unit Crew stacked 3,000 sandbags on pallets ready to put into use at the Hosmer Fire Hall. Clean up kits are expected to arrive from the Red Cross tomorrow. A meeting was held in Hosmer with 75 people in attendance and provided the community with information and an opportunity to ask questions.

Electoral Area A – The State of Local Emergency remains in effect for Electoral Area A.

Fernie – a State of Local Emergency remains in effect. There was localized flooding in the Annex, and 
pumping took place Saturday afternoon with success. The storm water system is handling the water at this time. The ponding in the streets in the Annex has dried up. All dikes are holding. All city parks remain closed and city crews are beginning the task of identifying areas of erosion and debris piles on the trails.

West Fernie – West Fernie Dike is holding stable and drainage has returned to normal.

Elkford – The District of Elkford is maintaining the State of Local Emergency declared June 20. 
Work continues on debris management in Boivin Creek and they will be working to restore access for 
re-occupancy for residents north of town and to the District’s sewage lagoons.

Sparwood – Focus is beginning to turn to recovery as lower waters allowed city staff to begin assessing 
trails and parks for damage. Efforts are also underway to replace a water line that was damaged in the 
flooding.

Elko Dam Alert – The dam alert has been cancelled. BC Hydro personnel remain on site and will 
continue 24-hour surveillance while water levels remain high.

Kimberley – Mark Creek and Kimberley Creek are both down today. The situation in Kimberley has 
stabilized.

Wasa – The Kootenay River peaked late yesterday and levels are now declining. Highway 93/95 has 
been reopened to single lane alternating traffic. We are anticipating the water will rise, and could rise quickly, in the Wasa area. A sandbagging station has been set up at the Wasa Community Hall. Wasa typically will notice the effects of water levels on the Kootenay River seven to 10 days later.

Dutch Creek – Dutch Creek was down again today. An evacuation alert is in place. Heavy equipment continues to move rock and add rip rap reinforcement along the banks of Dutch Creek and the work is about 90% complete. Clean up efforts are well underway by the campground owner and the campground has no notable water or diverted creek flow.

Fairmont Hot Springs – both Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek remain within their channels and are running clearer. There is continued sedimentation and our debris removal management is ongoing. We have resources on standby on Cold Spring Creek to address build up of sediment and debris.

Weather Forecast – More moisture is expected to move into the region on Monday, with the possibility of showers and thundershowers through Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to continue on Tuesday with strong winds likely over the next two days. Weather conditions on Wednesday are expected to be unsettled with the potential for showers or thundershowers. 
Conditions are better, but continued caution is required – with conditions improving around much of the region tonight, it is important to remember that conditions can still change and it is important to be vigilant and aware. Please use extreme caution around waterways.

Lead image: Traffic is moving alternatively via single lane on Highway 93/95 at Wasa as the Kootenay River subsides. However, the flood watch is on for the second year in a row in Wasa. Photo by Krista Nebloch

Loree Duczek/RDEK

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