Warm, wet weather not what we need

Creek flows dipped Tuesday, but a forecast calling for warm temperatures today and frequent showers could once again elevate the risk of flooding in the Central Okanagan.

Mission Creek flows declined from 40 cubic metres per second to 35 cubic metres per second, well down from a peak of 105 cubic metres per second early Saturday.

But evacuation orders remained in place for several properties in Kelowna along Mill Creek and for dozens of residences along Commonwealth Road at the city’s northern border with Lake Country.

As well, dozens of residents on and around Bottom Wood Lake Road in Winfield remained on evacuation alerts due to flooding of Vernon Creek.

Today’s forecast calls for a high of 25 C which, if achieved, would make it the hottest day so far this year in Kelowna. There’s said to be a 40 per cent chance of showers today but a 60 per cent chance of thunderstorms Thursday, with a high of 24 C.

Temperatures should drop considerably toward the weekend, with highs of between 15 C and 17 C, and showers will continue.

A water-quality advisory was issued for two Westside water systems, Pritchard and Sunnyside, which together have more than 1,000 customers. The advisory was issued because of cloudiness in the water.

The two systems draw from Okanagan Lake.

Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems should drink boiled or bottled water, Interior Health says.