UPDATED: Slocan Valley West Road remains closed, evacuation orders lifted for Pass Creek/Goose Creek and Broadwater Road north of Robson
By Nelson Daily Staff
Evacuation orders have been rescinded for several residences in the Pass Creek/Goose Creek area and one residence on McLean Road north of Robson.
Broadwater road opened to single lane traffic Sunday.
However, concerns remain for Slocan Valley West Road and Crawford Creek in Crawdford Bay.
Road crews have opened Broadwater Road north of Robson to single lane traffic said Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre Public Relations officer Bill Macpherson said in a written press release.
The road was closed to traffice following a landslide Saturday evening between Deer Park and McLean Road.
“Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) contractors were able to get the road passable for campers at Syringa Provincial Park and Deer Park residents. Scottie’s Marina was also impacted by the closure,” Macpherson explained.
However, news wasn’t as good for resident in the Slocan Valley West community as the road remains closed, probably until at least Monday, due to water flowing over the road.
The overflowing water continues the evacuation order for a number of homes.
Emergency responders are contacting residents individually this evening.
Macpherson said a flyover of impacted areas throughout the district shows the Slocan River is impacting land bordering its banks and has considerable debris flow, although it has dropped slightly from Saturday night’s peak level.
The Slocan River is near a 25-year high level currently.
Macpherson said in Crawford Bay, a section of the bank of Crawford Creek, is experiencing water overtopping and piping through in places.
Work is ongoing and an evacuation alert has been issued for four homes that could be affected if there is a significant breach or failure.
The evacuation orders for both Pass Creek/Goose Creek and Robson Broadwater Road was lifted Sunday evening.
States of local emergency remain in place — Slocan Valley West Road remains closed while crews work to re-open Broadwater Road north of Robson
The Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to monitor creeks and rivers in the region following a weekend of torrential rains.
“States of local emergency remain in place and residents in areas impacted by recent events are asked to exercise caution and adhere to instruction/direction from emergency responders,” said EOC Public Relations officer Bill Macpherson said in a written press release.
“Owners of private bridges that cross creeks should have them inspected to ensure structural integrity and personal safety,” he added.
Macpherson said a section of Slocan Valley West Road remains closed and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) flag workers are controlling traffic on Pass Creek Road.
Macpherson also noted highway crews are working to re-open Broadwater Road north of Robson to enable single lane traffic flow.
Currently the road remains closed in both directions.
“All Kootenay rivers and creeks are at high levels given the recent precipitation and high elevation snow pack melt,” Macpherson said.
“Residents are reminded to stay clear of creeks and rivers, and their banks, and exercise caution at all times. Evacuation orders/alerts must be heeded to ensure personal safety and the safety of emergency responders.”
Environment Canada has forecasted a continuation of the wet weather for the region and a risk of thunderstorms in the evening.
Monday, showers continue with a risk of thundershowers in the late afternoon and early evening.
Sandbags and sand are available at local fire halls and other staging areas.
UPDATED: Heavy rains forces RDCK to re-activate its Emergency Operations Centre — three areas issued evacuation orders
Heavy accumulation of precipitation forced the Regional District of Central Kootenay Saturday to re-activate its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and issue evacuation orders to three areas in the region — Pass Creek/Goose Creek, Slocan Valley West Road and Broadwater Road near Syringa Creek Provincial Park.
“Rainfall has swollen creeks and rivers across the region, causing mudslides and cutting off some roads,” said EOC Public Relations officer Bill Macpherson said in a written press release.
In Area I, three residences have been impacted and remain under tactical evacuation status according to Macpherson.
The homes affected have been told to go to Castlegar’s Sandman Inn if they need to leave their homes.
In Area H, approximately 30 homes have been placed under alert as the Slocan River rises.
An Emergency Social Services (ESS) reception centre has been opened at the Slocan Valley Hall.
Meanwhile on Broadwater Road in Area J, one residence has been evacuated as a mudslide blocked access from Deer Park, Syringa Provincial Park and Scottie’s Marina.
“The slide is north of Robson,” Macpherson said. “Ministry of Transportation and Highways geotechnical staff are assessing road issues and the Robson Fire Department is assisting as well.”
The three evacuation orders are impacting approximately 35 residences.
Nelson and Castlegar Search and Rescue are working with all the emergency response organizations to ensure all residents have been notified of the situation.
Conditions are not liked to improve anytime soon as an Environment Canada rainfall warning continues with rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 millimeters are likely Sunday.
RDCK urges public to be prepared in case of flooding
The Regional District of Central Kootenay wants the public to be on high alert for flooding this weekend.
The RDCK is issuing the advisory due to warmer temperatures, and the possibility of heavy rains in our region this weekend, combined with above average to high snow pack remaining in some areas.
The RDCK want to make property owners aware they are responsible for protecting their land and property.
However, to assist in the protection of potential flood areas, designated Fire Stations throughout the Regional District have sandbags available for emergency use.
“Homeowners affected by high water can access these sandbags, but remember, safety is more important than belongings,” the RDCK said in a written release.
“Stay safe and prepare before an event occurs,” the release adds. “If you have experienced high water encroaching on your property in the past, you may expect that again this year.”
For information on the Kootenay Lake Levels, visit the Fortis BC website at:
http://www.fortisbc.com/Electricity/CustomerService/KootenayLakeLevels.
Important websites and numbers:
For more information on personal and family preparedness including details on proper sandbagging techniques, visit the Provincial Emergency Program web site: www.pep.bc.ca .
For information on river levels: http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings .
For RDCK Public Notices please go to: http://www.rdck.bc.ca/publicinfo/notices.html .
To report a flooding emergency call 1-800-663-3456
For further information contact your area Emergency Coordinator:
Alanna Garrett, Emergency Coordinator (250) 428-0299
Noreen Clayton, Emergency Coordinator (250) 352-8177
Terry Warrent, Emergency Coordinator (250) 265-0230
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