Flood damage assessment under way

An assessment of damage resulting from last summer’s Okanagan Lake flood and recovery plans is underway, council heard Monday.

“A consultant was hired to assist with the 2017 flood response efforts by completing a damage assessment to identify hazards and impacts to municipal infrastructure,” director of works and utilities Kris Johnson told council.

On Aug. 31, 2017, a representative of the Disaster Financial Assistance program toured the area. Then, in October, upon funding approval from DFA, the consultant toured the sites and shoreline, and structural engineers completed assessments of damage to shoreline, riprap, docks and retaining walls.

“The shoreline and structural engineers are currently summarizing site observations and are reviewing municipal documents, such as pre-event photos and previous engineering reports,” Johnson said.

Once the engineering reports are received, priorities to address damage will be established based on safety hazards, restoration of public infrastructure and ensuring preservation of existing infrastructure.

Eligibility for DFA funding and community priorities will also be considered.

In general, DFA provides 100 per cent funding for immediate response activities and 80 per cent for recovery projects, Johnson explained.

The consultant’s fees, which fall in the response category, will be paid completely by DFA.

Contract tenders will be prepared in the spring and projects initiated as funding permits, Johnson said.

As of Nov. 30, assessment of flood damage on 16 sites had been completed.

Restoration work required includes resets of picnic tables and benches, concrete slab resets, and repair to several linear pathways.

It will be necessary to reset stations and junction boxes, after determining the desired new placement and design height, for services located at Wharf Street and Woods Avenue.