More Okanagan residents are being told to prepare to leave their homes quickly as the threat of flooding continues to rise in a rural region near Oliver.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) said 148 homes are now under evacuation alert because of the potential for a debris flow to hit the area north of Oliver.
No residents have had to leave but the situation could change quickly.
The province has been pumping water across Secrest Hill Road to try and prevent a dam and culvert system failure.
If the dam gives way, Highway 97 through Oliver could be affected. You can check drivebc.ca for information on the closures.
The expanded evacuation alert includes 16 properties that were already under alert along Sportmens Bowl Road, across Highway 97 and down Park Rill Creek for several kilometres.
Another 16 properties are still on Evacuation Alert near Okanagan Falls because of flooding of Green Lake.
A state of local emergency has been expanded for all of RDOS Electoral Area ‘C’.
Meanwhile, in Kelowna, a big washout early Tuesday morning closed Gaudie Road to Cardinal Creek Road, resulting in a detour for all traffic.
“It’s impressive… it’s amazing, I think it’s going to take a lot of work to fix the situation, it’s going to hold up a lot of people, hopefully they can do it quickly and hopefully everyone stays safe,” area resident, Travis Lesh, told Global News.
The washout is 22 kilometres east of the Highway 33 and Highway 97 Junction.
WATCH: Mary Lou Hilborn was staying in the evacuation alert area near Oliver on Monday night. She describes the scene as fire crews came through the area notifying residents of the evacuation alert expansion.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure told Global News that every effort is being made to keep people safe.
“A detour is available via Goudie Road and Cardinal Creek Road, and there is currently no estimated time of reopening. No oversize loads allowed on detour, until further notice.”
“Traffic control is in place and local traffic will be allowed to their homes.”
They said no people or vehicles were damaged in the slide.
“Saturated grounds with increased rainfall in the South Okanagan are increasing the risk of mudslides and washouts, and ministry staff are doing everything possible to maintain safe conditions and minimize road closures,” the ministry said in a statement.
There is some good news for motorists impacted by a mudslide that closed Highway 3A between Keremeos and Kaledon to traffic on Friday. The highway reopened Tuesday afternoon.
Starting at 2:00 p.m., the highway will be open to single lane alternating traffic at the top of every hour, according to Drive BC.
-with files from Megan Turcato, Shelby Thom and Jules Knox
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