Section of roadway on Westside washed out

Part of Lower Glenrosa Road closed all weekend to allow for repairs

Lower Glenrosa Road between Glencoe and Glenway roads in West Kelowna will remain closed all weekend as crews continue to fix a washout caused by Thursday night’s heavy rain and flooding.

Thirteen millimetres of rain fell in a short burst Thursday, causing erosion, a collapse of part of the road, uprooting of a utility pole and accumulation of debris.

The debris was removed first, and now the utility pole is being stabilized and the road rebuilt.

Repairs are expected to take until at least Monday.

The City of West Kelowna will announce on Monday whether the necessary work has been done to safely reopen the stretch of road.

The repairs have prompted West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater to declare a local state of emergency. The declaration allows city crews to access private property to assess damage and make repairs.

In the meantime, motorists have to obey emergency traffic signage and use Glenrosa Road as an alternative.

Those who use the Route 21 bus on Lower Glenrosa Road will have to access it via Webber Road.

Pedestrians also are asked not to use the area.

The torrential rain and flooding has also prompted West Kelowna to increase flood-risk monitoring of public infrastructure.

The municipality is also urging homeowners in flood-prone areas to take precautions and protect their property.

The City of Kelowna was already doing flood mitigation work before Thursday’s heavy rain and rush of snowpack melt caused problems.

Creek capacities are being increased in hopes rain and snowpack melt won’t cause flooding like that which occurred last spring and summer.

Kelowna also warns people with homes susceptible to flooding to take precautions. Homeowners are responsible for protecting their own property.

Thursday’s rain and flooding also led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Armstrong.

Meighan Creek in Armstrong surged more than half a metre and flooded units at a local seniors home, forcing the evacuation of 10 residents.