By Corey Fischer

Update: Armstrong Extends State Of Emergency

May 4, 2018 | 2:22 PM

The City of Armstrong will continue its local state of emergency for at least another week.

The City says creek levels remain concerning and with the potential for significant increase in flows, flooding remains a threat.

Emergency Program coordinator Warren Smith says with mitigation measures still required, the State of Emergency will remain in place until at least May 11th.

It was first enacted May 4th with rising levels on Meighan and Deep Creeks.

“Our public works staff will continue to be involved in mitigation flood work and the monitoring of creeks,” says Smith. “There has been minor impacts on our day-to-day operations as our crew responds to flooding needs. Crews are ensuring there are lots of bags and sand readily available to the public at our two bagging stations.”

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The City is reminding residents, observing or working near creeks, to be aware that creek water levels may rise quickly and should exercise caution at all times around the fast moving water and creek banks.

Sand and bags are currently available for self-filling, at no cost, at the Public Works Yard located at 2950 Patterson Avenue and at the corner of Bridge Street and Okanagan Blvd.

The City of Armstrong will decide today on the local state of emergency declared earlier this week.

Emergency Program Coordinator Warren Smith says water levels in both Meaghan Creek and Deep Creek are down slightly, but there is still significant amount of water in the systems

“We’re paying very close attention to the weather conditions and our temperatures and just sort of anticipating there potentially being issues occurring if we do see a possible increase in the weather patterns.”

That would include additional precipitation and higher temperatures going into next week.

The state of emergency declaration allowed the city to divert some water from a couple of Meighan Creek culverts.

Smith says that did work, but caused problems in Spallumcheen.

“There were some outcomes from that we were experiencing, a little bit of flooding within a residential and commercial area as a result of that diversion. So, we’ve actually, I guess, increased the flow of water back to Meighan Creek.”

That has alleviated the problem.

Warren Smith says the city will review the state of emergency today but will likely extend it.

“Just based on you know really what we’re seeing in our creek systems as as also just based on the information were getting from other agencies such as Environment Canada and the River Forecast Centre.”

Smith says there is still concern with the high mountain snow pack and how much water is in it.

by Corey Fischer