Joe Rich state of emergency rescinded

Updated (June 25). . .A Local State of Emergency has been rescinded now that work to protect Mission Creek has successfully and safely been completed.

This afternoon, under the supervision and coordination of a Professional Engineer, a partially submerged trailer on a property in the 11200 block of Highway 33 was moved out of Mission Creek and safely placed on a portion of the property, well away from the creek.

The outbuilding structure was assessed by the Engineer as posing an imminent risk to the environment of the creek.    The Local State of Emergency provided special powers to the Regional District in order to protect public health and safety, the environment and public infrastructure.

The Regional Emergency Program and Joe Rich Fire Rescue continue to monitor weather and creek conditions and will as warranted, evaluate the status of the Evacuation Alert, which remains in effect.

The Evacuation Alert affects 14 properties in the eastern portion of Joe Rich as the potential remains for flooding.

Update (8:30 p.m.). . . The Regional District of Central Okanagan declared a Local State of Emergency in order to protect the environment of Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area of the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.

The declaration allows the Regional District to access a property in the 11200 Block of Highway 33, near Mission Creek and the Three Forks Bridge crossing the creek, in order to conduct a professional engineering assessment and take appropriate actions related to outbuildings and structures on the property. With high creek flows and levels of the creek there is an imminent risk to public health and safety and the environment of the creek.

In addition, the professional assessments will also include recommendations for actions to eliminate any threat posed by logjams in the creek in this area.

Contributed

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan for 14 properties in the eastern portion of Joe Rich adjacent to Mission Creek due to the potential for flooding as a result of increased water flows and levels of Mission Creek.

The following properties are on Evacuation Alert in order that owners can prepare their premises or properties and family should the creek flow increase and threaten homes and structures on their properties.

• 11250 & 11490 Hwy. 33 East
• 11481 Three Forks Road
• 11600, 11700, 11800, 11900, 11505, 12025, 12310, 12326, 12342, 12458 & 12474 Greystokes Road

Affected property owners should be alert to possibly changing water conditions.  Joe Rich Fire Rescue will continue to monitor the creek overnight Saturday and Sunday morning for potentially changing conditions.  All people should stay well back and away from the banks of Mission Creek due to the high flows and the potential for sloughing, bank erosion and slippery creek banks.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to any evacuation order that might be necessary. However, due to changing conditions there may be limited notice provided to residents.

Mission Creek flows in the area have increased significantly late Saturday night as a result of heavy rainfall that’s associated with localized thunderstorms that passed through the Central Okanagan on Saturday.

Sandbags are available for those facing imminent threat at the Joe Rich Fire Hall 11481 Highway 33 east.

If you notice flooding in your area, please contact the Regional Fire Dispatch at 250-469-8577.

Information and pamphlets on flood preparedness including a recommended method for sandbag diking are available from the Regional District of Central Okanagan office (1450 KLO Road) and the main City of Kelowna fire hall on Enterprise Way as well as on the Regional District Emergency Operation Centre website www.cordemergency.ca as well as on the Regional District Emergency Program webpage  regionaldistrict.com/emergencyplan.  Information about flood precautions is also on the Emergency Management  BC website:  pep.bc.ca/floods/preparedness.html.