Snowmelt destruction mounts around Valley
Motorists delayed, detoured due to washouts; officials warn there could be more flooding this weekend
Rapid snowmelt in the mountains is wreaking havoc below in the Okanagan Valley, partially washing out roads, knocking out power, closing parks and pushing residents and public servants into a frenzy as creeks rise and the risk of flooding increases.
On Friday, a washout on Highway 97 in Peachland saw rushing water from the melt jump a culvert and spread water and debris across the busy thoroughfare.
As crews attempted to fix the culvert and clean up the mess, traffic was diverted where Renfrew Road meets the highway.
Check at DriveBC.ca to see if the highway is open again by the time you read this.
Also Friday, DriveBC.ca warned of possible flooding of Highway 97 along the 24-kilometre stretch between Peachland and Summerland.
After a mudslide covered it on Friday, Princeton Avenue in Peachland was closed between Highway 97 and Somerset Avenue.
Detours were immediately set up, and only local traffic was allowed on Princeton Avenue to Columbia Avenue, Lakeview Avenue and Princess Street.
A washout on Westside Road three kilometres north of Fintry was also causing problems Friday.
However, crews had managed to get the situation under control enough to open one lane to alternating traffic.
Speaking of Westside Road, the Killiney Beach neighbourhood north of Fintry could still be without electricity after swelling groundwater saturated soil and caused a landslide.
Residents of 12 homes in Killiney evacuated last week were told they could go home Thursday after emergency officials determined the slope was more stable.
Meantime, there could be another evacuation of seven properties on Hitchner and Jennens roads in West Kelowna along McDougall Creek. The Central Okanagan regional district’s emergency operations centre decided to issue the evacuation alert because the creek is rising at an alarming rate.
The organization that monitors river levels across British Columbia is warning of the potential for more flooding over the weekend and early next week, especially in the southern Interior, southeast B.C. and the northeastern corner of the province.
The River Forecast Centre says those regions are expected to see the warmest temperatures over the next few days, speeding snowmelt into already surging rivers, and it says that warmth will be followed by rain next week.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for 64 properties in the Twin Lakes area.
A news release from the district says that area west of Kaleden experienced significant flooding last year and conditions this year are expected to be “significantly worse.”
In Kelowna, it isn’t just the possibility of creeks spilling their banks that has residents and officials worried.
Rising groundwater, especially on slopes and at the base of inclines, is swamping some backyards and basements.
Kelowna has spent $2 million already on flood prevention with two million sandbags at the ready, almost 10 kilometres of tiger dams (those orange tubes that can hold back and divert rising waters) along creeks and 11 kilometres of big gabion baskets filled with sand to hold back water.
Creeks have been dredged and vegetation cleared so the waterways can handle more flow and dump the excess into Okanagan Lake.
With so much water being stirred up, the quality of drinking water can be compromised, with bacteria and viruses attaching to particles in turbid water.
That’s what has happened with the Pritchard, Sunnyside, West Kelowna Estates and Lakeview water systems in West Kelowna.
Seven thousand households with 18,000 people are being advised to boil water and cool it before drinking it or using it to wash fruits and vegetables, brush teeth, prepare food or make ice, beverages or baby formula.
You can use bottled water or pick up water at the free bulk-water station at Shannon Lake and Asquith roads. Bring your own containers. Beware of rushing creeks. The provincial government has issued warnings that fast-flowing water, even if it’s only ankle deep, can sweep you off your feet and into angry water. Moving water less than a metre deep can carry away a car, SUV or truck.