Mission Creek bursts its banks after heavy rain

Mission Creek burst its bank early Tuesday due to rain and higher elevation snowmelt, spilling water over some Kelowna streets and properties.

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The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre got started Tuesday as local waterways flowed over, noting Radant and Bulman roads are closed until further notice, emergency operations staff said.

“The southwest corner of the long-term parking at the airport is experiencing some flooding and 20 vehicles are being relocated. KLO Road has intermittent closures due to the clearing of debris,” staff said.

Motorists are also being advised that they should be aware that Casorso Road at Swamp Road is currently experiencing running water across the road, but the road remains open at this time. Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and plan their routes accordingly.

“Crews are inspecting bridges and looking for debris in the areas and are monitoring the water levels and the weather,” emergency operations staff said.

“Property owners in flood-prone and low-lying areas are responsible for protecting their own properties from possible flood damage. Equipping yourself with a flood plan and the tools needed in case of a flood can help prepare you.”

Water is rushing through the creek at a rapid rate due to snowmelt and rain. Earlier in the week it was flowing at 30 cubic metres per second and early Tuesday morning, as rain started to pour, it was flowing at a rate of 115 cubic metres per second, according to the BC River Forecast Centre.

4:50 B.C. on flood watch

While people start sandbagging, the Regional District Central Okanagan has decided to close portions of the Mission Creek Greenway recreational trail.

The trail will remain closed “until Mission Creek returns to a safe level and our staff can safely assess trail conditions,” RDCO communications officer Bruce Smith said in a press release.

4:15 How Kamloop is preparing for possible spring flooding

“The Greenway corridor is closed from the Hollywood Road south entrance at the Peck Road parking area upstream to the Field Road entrance,” the regional district said.

“The underpasses at the Truswell/Lakeshore, Gordon Drive and Casorso Road bridges are all closed. Pedestrians and cyclists on the Greenway are asked to use caution and only cross when it is safe at the intersections at Truswell Road, Lexington Drive and Casorso Road. Motorists are also asked to watch for Greenway users who may be crossing roads in these areas while the underpasses are closed.”

Regional parks staff cautioned that during spring runoff, water levels in area creeks may rise unexpectedly, so residents, children and pets should stay safely back from creek banks, which may be slippery or subject to erosion.

A weather advisory posted on Monday, warned that somewhere between 20 and 40 mm of rain was expected to fall.

Sand and sandbags have been deployed to the Radant Road area at this time. If warranted, sand and sandbags may be deployed in other areas, and pick up locations will be posted on CORDEmergency.ca.