A flash flood sparked an evacuation order Saturday as Sicamous Creek burst its banks. (Photo: Shuswap Lake Watch)

by Dave Preston

The town of Sicamous has been going through a rough time since Sicamous Creek breached its banks over the weekend, closing down Hwy. 97A and flooding  a portion of the town.

All schools in Sicamous were closed Monday and will continue to be closed until Thursday. The closures affect Parkview Elementary, StrongStart, the Alternate Program, Eagle River Secondary and the Sicamous Learning Centre.

The schools will reopen Thursday so that students can collect their belongings and report cards.

Buses are scheduled to up students in Malakwa and Solsqua on Thursday. Pick-up times are expected to be normal. Buses will depart Parkview Elementary at 10:10 a.m. and Eagle River at 11:20 a.m.

The entire town of Sicamous is without municipal drinking water after contamination due to the flood. Municipal water is not expected to be flowing again for at least two weeks.

Interior Health and the District of Sicamous issued a Do Not Drink the Water Notice on all water systems in Sicamous and Swansea Point.

The notice extends to not using tap water for showers or dishes. IH advises that boiling the water will not make it safe.

More than 300 people have been evacuated from their homes in Sicamous. Media reports indicate that evacuees were told at a briefing that the lake could rise another 15 cm. The crest of the lake is expected in the next few days.

Editor’s Note: If you have photos of the flooding in Sicamous or how residents are coping, please send them to news@peachlandnews.com

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