Rising waters in Sicamous Creek in the Shuswap area of B.C. have reportedly washed out a bridge and flooded the waterway houseboat vacations property.
Severe rain showers on Saturday afternoon caused a rapid rise in stream levels throughout the watershed, which in turn pushed the Shuswap Lake level up three inches, according to Shuswap Lake Watch.
The rising water washed out the embankment at the Sicamous 2-Miles division, and flooded through the Waterway Houseboat Vacations property.
An evacuation order was issued for the Waterway property and all residential houses beside the Sicamous Creek. Houseboat renters will be relocated to the Sicamous Seniors Centre for the night.
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An evacuation effort is underway for residents along Mara Lake who have been stranded as a result of multiple road washouts.
The lake will now continue to raise for a few days, but Lake Watch estimates it will not be as extreme as Saturday’s rise. The 1997 peak level has now been surpassed.
Highway 97A near Sicamous is closed in both directions due to flooding, according to Drive B.C.
The highway is closed three-km south of Sicamous to 2 Mile Bridge because of flooding. The bridge is being assessed but there is no estimated time of opening.
The highway is also closed eight-km south of Sicamous to Sicamous because of flooding. The re-opening of the highway is unknown due to the washout. Motorists must take a detour via Highway 1 and Highway 97B.
Those affected by flooding are asked to go to 1091 Shuswap Avenue.
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