RDCK declares State of Local Emergency for Flooding
By Regional District of Central Kootenay
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has declared a State of Local Emergency for all 11 electoral areas (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K) within the RDCK.
Later, the RDCK issued an evacuation order for Crawford Creek (Crawford Bay) in electoral Area ‘A’.
Under B.C.’s Emergency Program Act, when a State of Emergency is declared, it provides the RDCK’s Emergency Operations Centre greater flexibility to access resources and respond efficiently to the imminent threat of widespread flooding across the region.
On May 30, the BC River Forecast Centre issued a Flood Watch for the Slocan River, Salmo River and surrounding tributaries. This means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bank full. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for Arrow Lakes – Slocan Lake, Kootenay Lake, and West Kootenay, forecasting significant thunderstorm development, frequent lightning, very strong winds gusting upwards of 100km/hr and significant precipitation in the range of 30mm-100mm Saturday May 30 through Sunday May 31.
The potential for heavy rainfall accompanied with these storms strain local rivers and creeks.
“We are issuing the State of Local Emergency due to the significant amount of uncertainly pertaining to rainfall amounts and the potential for extreme isolated storm events,” said Chris Johnson, the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director.
“We are advising everyone that lives near a river, creek or stream to be prepared to evacuate if required on short notice. This situation can change quickly, depending on the weather over the next 12-48 hours.”
Updates will be provided on the RDCK Emergency Information Page.
The RDCK warns everyone to stay away from the edges of watercourses and report any erosion or flooding to the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456
The RDCK will continue to update the public as new information is available.
Below is a list of properties in the Crawford Creek area recently placed under an Evacuation Order by the RDCK EOC.
