Vernon SAR Activated to Warn Residents of Louis Estates

Vernon Search and Rescue were activated yesterday to evacuate people from Louis Estates on Okanagan Indian Band land. As lake levels continue to rise resulting in a threat to homes on the water, Vernon Search and Rescue had to be called in to assist.

In a conversation with KISS-FM News this morning, Pete Wise veteran Search and Rescue Coordinator, said this evacuation was done by boat because the road is blocked.

Not everybody opted to move as many have hunkered down and are fully prepared to wait this thing out. These are individuals who have prepared their property for situations like this.

Wise says their options are few as the water level continues to rise and impact their lives…and it`s not just about the people who live in these homes…it`s also about their pets.

He says that people have to make a decision to bring their pets or leave them behind because once they leave, they can`t go back until the danger is over.

One issue of concern with Wise is the insistence of some speed boat operators who are advised not to be on the lake, as they continue to create wave issues.

Wise suggests they should be confronted and made to help fill sandbags to give them an idea of how their careless use of a boat impacts innocent home owners on the lake. I`m sure everybody dealing with flood issues on the lake will concur.

The forecast calls for a slight chance of rain and cooler temperatures for Sunday.