Reviewing first half of 2017
2017 will go down in the RDOS history books as the busiest and most confounding year since its inception. A cool wet start to the year quickly turned into massive flooding with lake and creek levels at historic highs.
More than 550,000 sand bags and 359 loads of sand were distributed in the RDOS alone. Before the flooding response ended and the recovery stage could begin, wildfires started. The RDOS staff and member municipalities have been actively engaged in Emergency Response since May 4th and at this point, there is no end in sight.
Major emergencies that involves residents and property owners in the region involves the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). RDOS Staff are trained for these emergencies and commit to help when needed. The duration of an emergency can put a strain on resources as staff work to maintain their regular job duties and participate in helping the region through these events. Usually, these incidents are short lived and things return to normal quickly, but this year is much different.
The media continues to be very involved in messaging out information and we sincerely appreciate their support. Advances in the speed and immediacy of available technology for TV, print and all forms of electronic social media allows for information to be disseminated quickly and effectively. The RDOS website continually updates information bulletins and provides a link to helpful advice for residents preparing for and living through emergencies. Recent events has affected some of the many services the RDOS provides or contracts out. In addition to increases in workload, smoke densities and high temperatures can create health and safety issues for outside workers.
The Mosquito Control Program faced with the vast amount of flood and standing water added dozens of new areas requiring treatment to the roster. This season accessing some treatment sites is a challenging and dangerous undertaking. Ground waters continued to rise in the rural Oliver and Osoyoos areas, until this past week. Helicopter aerial deployments and amount of larvicide used has nearly doubled.
RDOS Parks and Trails staff are feeling the same pressures. Like our public works and mosquito staff, they too were out delivering sandbags and engaged in EOC duties while trying to keep up to regular workloads. Along with unprecedented early growth (more weed whacking), some additional trail maintenance is required to fix flood and water related damage to Parks, regional trails and the KVR. Currently, the dry hot weather has curtailed some of the regular parks and trails maintenance duties due to the risk of a fire being started by mowing and weeding equipment.
The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) is contracted annually by Provincial Ministries, agencies and the RDOS to conduct invasive weed treatments throughout the region. The wet spring added substantial growth opportunities for all plant material – including invasive plants. OASISS staff have been working extremely hard to get to priority sites while acknowledging all the new sites and weed complaints received.
We look to help not only the region’s residents but also to our neighbouring regions where fire is devastating communities.
The RDOS EOC and City opened a Reception Center at the Community Center and an Evacuation Centre at the South Okanagan Events Centre, manned by volunteers. While we continue to recover from our own emergencies, we know that Okanagan – Similkameen residents and businesses will embrace those displaced from their homes and communities.
Karla Kozakevich is chair of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the representative for Naramata.