By Tom Mark

‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Describes Local Flooding Outlook

May 14, 2018 | 1:03 PM

Officials in Lumby are cautiously optimistic about the flooding situation at this point.

The Village’s Chief financial officer Jeremy Sundin says Duteau Creek is down, Harris Creek is the same, and Creighton Creek remains high.

“That creek threatens the east side of town, coming into Lumby from the east, so mostly the industrial park area ans the highway on the east side,” says Sundin.

He says they should be able to avoid further flooding if the levels stay the same.

“We’re watching the weather because there is a lot of heat this week, and there is also some rain expected, so there is a little in bit of concern that could cause the levels to increase,” Sundin tells Beach Radio News.

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Twenty provincial firefighters are in the village for one more day, producing sandbags using a machine capable of making at about one thousand an hour.

Sundin says the village has put in a resource request to the province for temporary diking for the areas most at risk.

An evacuation alert covering 160 homes and properties remains in effect.

“We’re going to keep that in place until we know that creek levels aren’t going to increase any further,” adds Sundin.

Meantime, the flooding situation is relatively calm in Armstrong — but officials say the soaring temperatures this week will be a wild card.

Emergency program coordinator Warren Smith says Meighan Creek is fed by mid to upper level snowpack, which will be likely melting this week.

“There is still a bit of snow. Coming back from the Enderby direction yesterday, you look up on the hillside and you can still see it. It’s still up there,”says Smith.

Smith says the levels of both Meighan and Deep creeks have been declining since last last week.

An evacuation alert remains in effect for about 60 homes.

“Things are looking optimistic at this point, but we’re still proceeding cautiously.”

by Tom Mark