A local state of emergency has been declared in the tiny community of Willowbrook.
“Due to the threat of flooding and possible damage to properties in the vicinity of Kearns Creek near Willowbrook in Electoral Area C, Regional District Chair, Karla Kozakevich has declared a Local State of Emergency,” the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) said in a news release.
“When safe access or egress to residents is threatened, the RDOS can request a Local State of Emergency be imposed to provide additional resources in the event that an evacuation of residents or emergency works in the community becomes necessary.”
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The south Okanagan community which lies west of Vaseux Lake, is dealing with spillover from Kearns Creek dam.
The owner of the dam was ordered by the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to pump water out of the dammed area to prevent further spillover.
RDOS emergency management program coordinator Paul Edmonds said the dam reached capacity late Sunday and spilled, flooding properties below.
Kearns Creek is expected to rise over the next few days.
Residents have been advised to add two more layers of sandbags to help prevent flooding on their property.
“There has already been active sandbagging and precautionary preparedness by the community. Provincial agencies are on the ground assessing culverts and local dam infrastructure and working with the RDOS on this localized emergency response event,” the RDOS said.
The Emergency Operations Centre is continuing to remain open. For inquiries, please call the 250-490-4225
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