Snowpack levels twice usual size

We’re going to be there and standing with the people of this community.

Some dikes failed when overtopped by flood waters and crews are repairing them in priority sequence, as well as pumping water from lowlying neighbourhoods close to the dike breaches, the regional district said.

The Similkameen River is projected to reach historic levels by Friday, potentially pushing several feet of additional water back into Osoyoos Lake, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said.

About 100 properties have been evacuated in the area and another 600 are under evacuation alert.

All rural electoral areas and several municipalities are under states of emergency.

Snowpack levels were more than double the average in the district, it said.

A high stream flow remains in effect for the Fraser River.

Premier John Horgan has said this may be a “one-inone-hundred-years” flooding season and the provincial government will review its options for further support Monday morning.

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth visited Grand Forks on Sunday, one of the most devastated communities. “This is — I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said, describing 80- and 90-yearold homes that have been destroyed by the disaster and water reaching the windows of other houses.

He said the province will support the community, but funding will depend on the extent of damage over the next week.

“There needs to be a longterm commitment to this community and this region,” Farnworth said.

“And as a province, we’re saying, we’re going to be there and standing with the people of this community to make sure that commitment follows through.”