Flood Emergency Team On Standby

It could be a flood-filled weekend coming up, but the City of Vernon is prepared to handle emergencies.

The City has put its Emergency Operations Centre staff on standby.

Spokesperson Tanya Laing Gahr says possible rain and high flow conditions could cause problems.

“The warm weather now and the wet weather on the weekend will contribute to possible flood conditions, so we are on standby in case local streams spill their banks,” Laing Gahr tells Kiss FM.

Laing Gahr says Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes are reaching capacity.

“So even people living near the lakes are at risk for flooding.”

Residents in low-lying areas should take measures to protect their property.

“Affected property owners adjacent to creeks, streams and lakes are responsible for having a plan as well as the tools and equipment necessary to protect their properties from possible flood damage,” says a City release.

Acting Fire Chief David Lind says a couple of trouble spots in the city are being monitored and sand-bagged.

“The area are Heron Grove and a site on Tronson Road. We’re hopeful those mitigations will avoid the need for evacuations,” says Lind

Stockpiles of sand and sandbags are available at the following locations:

-Vernon City Operations (1900 48 Avenue) outside main gate on Pleasant Valley Road
– Corner of Okanagan Avenue and Okanagan Landing Road

Blocked culverts and water debris that cause an emergent threat of flooding should be reported to public works department online at www.vernon.ca/report-issue, by emailing operations@vernon.ca or by calling 250-549-6757.

The City also reminds residents to exercise caution, particularly with children, when in the vicinity of fast moving creeks, streams and water.