With rain across the region Sunday, the rapid melting of snow and run off continued.

There were no significant changes in the rural areas around Cranbrook and Kimberley; however, emergency program personnel did conduct site assessments at a few properties that were experiencing high run off in Gold Creek and Wycliffe along with Jaffray in Electoral Area B.

A 20-person Unit Crew from the Wildfire Management Branch assisted with sandbagging efforts throughout the day, replenishing the supply of pre-filled bags at the gravel pit next to the City of Cranbrook Public Works yard on Cobham Avenue. Those bags remain available for pick up by any Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) or city resident who needs them.

Later in the day, some of the crew was diverted to the Elk Valley to begin filling sandbags. Sand and sandbags are available at the Fernie Mainroad Contracting yard on Dicken Road and Shop Road. The Unit Crew worked until dark tonight and have 600 sandbags filled for City of Fernie or Area A residents to take as needed. They will be back on site first thing tomorrow morning to continue filling bags. Residents wishing to pick up bags need to be prepared to load them into their vehicles, as we do not have the resources to assist in this regard.

While there is water in basements, and pooling or running water in yards, so far no one in the RDEK has been displaced from their homes.

Sandbagging will continue tomorrow at the public pick up sites in Cranbrook and Fernie with the assistance of the Unit Crews.

With the forecast calling for drier conditions and temperatures between 8 and 10 degrees above zero for the next few days, the RDEK is reminding people to stay off lakes and away from streams and creeks as ice conditions can be highly unpredictable given the current conditions.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Mainroad Contracting are also dealing with a number of issues along roads and highways in the region. For the latest road conditions, visit www.drivebc.ca.

RDEK

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