Evacuation Order For Okanagan Indian Band

An Evacuation Order has bee issued for residents and visitors at lakeside properties on the Okanagan Indian Band IR#1.

As OKIB Emergency Operations Centre continues to monitor the flooding situation to protect public safety, an evacuation order has been issued for specific residences along the lake.

The Okanagan Indian Band declared a State of Emergency on May 5th, and have extended the order until May 30th, as the rising lake levels and increased water flows in creeks affected homes and property on the reserve lands.

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been established and is monitoring and managing the response for all potential flood activity and flood related effects on the reserve.

An evacuation order has been issued for the following residences: William Marchand Beach Lots #1 through 6. Residents are asked to register at the Reception Centre at the Village Green Hotel, 4801 – 27th Street Vernon, BC. Vernon RCMP will be providing residents of the evacuation order.

An evacuation alert was issued on May 21, 2017 for residents living/visiting properties along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake in the following locations:

Willow Shore Road to include the civic addresses from #1 to #20 Willow Shore Road.

Alexis beach front property to include dwellings from #33 to #43

Bobby Marchand and adjacent Sandra Saddleman beachfront property – all dwellings on these properties

Chief Byron Louis says the OKIB EOC is working with Emergency Services to address the health and safety of our residents:

“Stay safe by keeping your distance from creek and river banks; these fast moving bodies of water are serious hazards. We are working together through this time to develop plans for how we will mobilize and manage the different types of services and volunteers needed to respond to identified flood situations during this state of emergency.”

Sand/sandbagging resources are available at:

• Head of the Lake Area – adjacent to the Icebox Arena;

• Public Works & Housing Building, 11505 Westside Road;

• Whiteman’s Creek – near the mailboxes north of the Parker Cove Restaurant.

Volunteers are filling sandbags for flood affected residents; more volunteers are needed to assist some property owners with transporting and setting up sandbags at their homes. Please contact OKIB EOC if you are able to assist at 250-542-7132.