Evacuation Alerts Issued For Lakeshore Homes

The City of Vernon has issued evacuation alerts for residents on both sides of Lakeshore Road (from 2548 to 2688 Lakeshore Road) and 6999 Cummins Road.

The alert means residents of 12 homes must be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice should conditions worsen.

“Weather forecasts for this weekend warn of hot weather Wednesday and Thursday, followed by heavy rains and thunderstorms anticipated from Thursday until Sunday,” says City spokesperson Tanya Laing Gahr. “Along with the increased water flow in local creeks from the melting snowpack, heavy rains and high winds increase the likelihood of flooding along Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes.”

Laing Gahr says the home at 6999 Cummins Road is included because it could be affected due to it’s low lying site.

“It will be affected by possible lake flooding and overland flooding,” she tells kiss FM

Photo: Homes in the Holiday Mobile Home Park near Kin Beach were surrounded by water last week (File photo)

A new sandbagging site has been added at 2605 Lakeshore Road.

The City says Okanagan Lake levels are currently at 343.25 metres. Residents in impacted or at-risk areas are advised to protect property to 343.5 metres plus an additional buffer for wave action.

With lakes at unprecedented levels, the underground water table has come to the surface in some neighbourhoods. Residents should continue to monitor basements and crawlspaces in low lying areas. Local streets may close suddenly due to ground water seeping to the surface.

The City is taking measures to mitigate the risk of flooding by installing temporary flood protection in strategic locations along Lakeshore Road.

Cummins Road is currently being built up, which may also provide some protection against flooding. Additionally, another sand and sandbag location is being established at 2605 Lakeshore Road.

Lakeshore Road near Kin Beach

Sand and sandbags are being replenished twice a day at five other established sites for Vernon residents. The six sandbag locations are:

Outside Operations main entrance off of Pleasant Valley Rd

4005 Pleasant Valley Rd

Corner of Okanagan Ave and Okanagan Landing Rd (across from Marshall Fields)

Okanagan Hills Blvd and Bella Vista Rd. intersection (entrance to the Rise community)

8974 Okanagan Landing Road

2605 Lakeshore Road

The City requests that Lakeshore Road be used for local traffic only to allow crews and residents to access properties.