Wasa – A State of Local Emergency has been declared for Wasa. The lake is expected to rise another 10 to 12 inches over the next 24 hours (Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday). A Forestry Unit crew worked throughout the day today sandbagging. A total of 13,500 sandbags have been delivered to the community and 12 pumps are on site. Kootenay Pond (the slough) dropped 22cm in the past 24 hours and is draining into the Kootenay River.Cameron Pond flapgate is open and draining.

Hosmer – Clean up kits from the Red Cross have been picked up by many members of the community. The RDEK Board of Directors has waived tipping fees for all flood-related loads of garbage and bins were set up in Hosmer to help those affected by flooding in their homes have access for disposal during clean up.

Fernie – a State of Local Emergency remains in effect. All city parks remain closed as city staff continues assessments to determine the full extent of the damage. The parks are expected to remain closed for at least the balance of the week.

West Fernie – West Fernie Dike is holding stable and drainage has returned to normal. The RDEK Board of Directors has waived tipping fees for all flood-related loads of garbage and bins were set up in West Fernie to help those affected by flooding in their homes have access for disposal during clean up.

Cokato – Information has been delivered to the homes on Thompson Road regarding well testing / drinking water safety.

Elkford – The engineer is on site to complete the dike assessments and determine the funding required for top priority items that need to be repaired. The District of Elkford is providing residents affected by flooding with information on Disaster Financial Assistance and the proper steps to take if your well/septic has been impacted. Damage assessments for flooded residences will be conducted Thursday.

Sparwood – District staff are assessing trails and parks for damage. Efforts are also underway to replace a water line that was damaged in the flooding.

Dutch Creek – The Declaration of a State of Local Emergency remains in place. An evacuation alert for the HooDoos Resort Campground and neighbouring residences is still in effect. Heavy equipment is nearing completion on the riprap reinforcement along the banks of Dutch Creek. Water Stewardship BC was on site inspecting the creek again today and levels on the creek remained unchanged from yesterday.

Fairmont Hot Springs – both Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek remain within their channels. Work continues on culvert maintenance near the Riverside Golf maintenance shed due to ongoing sedimentation. 
Highways Update 
Highway 93/95 remains single lane alternating traffic at Wasa due to erosion on the shoulders following flooding over the weekend. Work continues at the bridge at Skookumchuck and its hoped that the highway will be reopened to two-lane traffic as early as Thursday.

Disaster Financial Assistance approved by province

The RDEK made application to Emergency Management BC (EMBC) for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for ‘Overland Flooding.’ The province has approved the Regional District of East Kootenay for DFA for all rural areas and municipalities with the RDEK. This means full-time residents can fill out claim forms and submit them for a portion of the cleanup costs related to the flooding that are not covered by insurance. The DFA program is provincial (not RDEK) and is only available to full-time residents (not seasonal). Applications for Disaster Financial Assistance are on EMBC’s web site at https://embc.gov.bc.ca/em/dfa_claims/dfa.html.

RDEK

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