Protective gear urged for sandbag removal

Homeowners should wear respirators, gloves and rubber boots when getting rid of sandbags, says the local emergency response centre.

Such precautions are necessary because sandbags that have been sitting in water could contain mould and might present a health risk, the EOC advised Tuesday in a release.

Contractors have begun accessing waterfront properties to remove sandbags in the lakeshore area between Lake Avenue and Royal Avenue in Kelowna. The sandbags were placed when flooding threatened local properties in May and June.

In West Kelowna, sandbag removal will get underway in the Pritchard, Whitworth, Gellatly and Green Bay neighbourhoods.

“Schedule of work is expected Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and involves removals occurring in these areas until the end of August,” the EOC release says.

Meanwhile, crews on barges continue to remove debris such as large trees or stumps, unclaimed broken docks and garbage from the lakeshore.

“Any debris that residents do now want removed should be clearly marked with ‘Do Not Remove’ signs so crews know to leave it behind,” the EOC says. “This may include large sections of docks that residents are hoping to repair. If possible, use fluorescent orange flagging tape or paint.”

Small woody debris on private property is the responsibility of residents.

Also Tuesday, the last five evacuation orders relating to the flooding were lifted.

The orders covered four properties on Hodges Road and one on Kilkenny Place, in the Killiney Beach area off Westside Road, near the north end of Okanagan Lake.