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UPDATED: Evacuation Alerts rescinded for Duhamel Creek, Village of Salmo & areas

The RDCK said that based on consultation with technical experts the Evacuation Alerts have been rescinded for Duhamel Creek fan and the Village of Salmo and communities of Erie and Ymir in Area G to the risk of flooding. — Screenshot photo

Should I stay or should I go?

The latest is stay as the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has rescinded the Evacuation Alerts for both Six Mile around the Duhamel Creek fan and the Village of Salmo and communities of Erie and Ymir in Area G to the risk of flooding.

Evacuation Alert rescinded [PDF - 572 KB]

Special Weather Statement for BC Southern Interior

The Severe Weather Warning includes Boundary, Arrow Lakes, Slocan Lake, West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake and Highway 3 — Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Environment Canada said Friday that the West Kootenay/Boundary/Slocan/Arrow Lakes regions can expect to see multiple systems over the next few days that could generate mudslides and flooding.

“Heavy rain possibly contributing to the escalating of flooding situation and mudslides,” Environment Canada said Friday in a Special Weather Statement.

The inclement weather is expected Friday, and through until Saturday night.

100-year mark: B.C. River Forecast Centre drops historic flood watch advisory on region

The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued an upgraded flood watch for the Kootenay-Boundary region on May 2 with flows hitting up to a 10-year range by Friday and compounding by the time the weekend settles in.

Water flows are predicted to hit the 100-year mark or higher by the weekend in the West Kootenay-Boundary as high temperatures continue and significant precipitation is expected later this week, according to the province’s flood watchdog.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued an upgraded flood watch for the West Kootenay-Boundary region on May 2 with flows hitting up to a 10-year range by Friday and compounding by the time the weekend settles in.

Selkirk College Class of 2023 Valedictorians Provide Message of Hope

A graduate of the three-year Rural Pre-Medicine Program, Shelby Bell is the co-valedictorian for the Selkirk College Class of 2023. — Photo courtesy Selkirk College

Out of chaos comes strength and a deeper appreciation for community, a lesson that students in Selkirk College’s Class of 2023 had thrust upon them during the challenges of the last three years.

Graduating students from all Selkirk College programs will walk across the stage and into the next exciting chapter of their lives at Convocation 2023 on April 28. From one-year certificate programs to four-year bachelor degrees, more than 1,050 learners have earned a credential through months of hard work on campuses spread across West Kootenay and Boundary communities.

UPDATED: Evacuation Order for Manly Meadows expanded

The RDKB EOC said that sandbags have been set up throughout the community.

An Evacuation Order has been expanded by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to include an additional two (2) properties in Manly Meadows in rural Grand Forks/Electoral Area D, effective as of May 4, 2023 at 5 p.m. because of rising river levels.

EOC officials will be delivering Evacuation Orders to residents at the affected properties.

The evacuation order now applies to approximately 10 addressed properties.

UPDATED: Evacuation Order reduced to one property on Little Slocan South Road

Three properties have been placed on Evacuation Orders following a mudslide Little Slocan South Road. — RDCK photo

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has reduced the Evacuation Order on Little Slocan South Road in the community of Vallican in Electoral Area H to one property.

In a media release Wednesday, the RDCK EOC said the decision was based on the recommendation from qualified professionals who have assessed the landslide hazard.

The RDCK EOC said the other two properties that were previously on Evacuation Order have been reduced to an Evacuation Alert.

Public input sought on allowable annual cut for timber supply area

By submitting before July 4 people and First Nations can comment on the timber supply analysis contained in the Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA) discussion document — Creative Commons.

People can have their say on the timber supply review for the area and give input on how and where the trees are cut in the Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area.

By submitting before July 4 people and First Nations can comment on the timber supply analysis contained in the Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA) discussion document, information that will be taken into consideration before the new allowable annual cut is set.

Logging continues in ‘critical’ mountain caribou old growth forest: Valhalla Wilderness Society

The provincial government has put the welfare and survival of the “deep snow” mountain caribou and old growth forests behind logging profits, says the Valhalla Wilderness Society — Creative Commons photo.

The province’s choice to continue to log old growth forest in B.C. is not only endangering mountain caribou but also the environment and its people, says a local conservation group.

Craig Pettitt, chair of the Valhalla Wilderness Society, said the provincial government has put the welfare and survival of the “deep snow” mountain caribou — otherwise known as the southern mountain caribou — and old growth forests behind logging profits.

RDKB urging public to prepare for possibility of flooding in Boundary region

Note the flood control works map.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Emergency Operations Centre is asking Boundary residents to prepare for the possibility of flooding.

The RDKB said with increasing temperatures and the possibility of heavy precipitation in the forecast later this week, waters are expected to rise.

"Current models show that levels could be similar to those in 2018," the RDKB media release said.

B.C. Nurse says decriminalization has made it harder to treat overdose patients

A Registered Nurse said that patients are not responding to Narcan.

By Samantha Holomay

"We are having people coming in, given Narcan, and they are not responding to it," said a Registered Nurse.

A withdrawal and detox management nurse says she has far more patients detoxing in her care after the provincial government decriminalized certain substances.  

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