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Kelowna residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to protect their properties from ground water that’s expected to seep up to the surface over the coming weeks.
As of Tuesday morning, Mission Creek is flowing at 30-35 cubic-metres-per-second. With rain forecasted to begin as early as Thursday and continue to persist through the weekend, creek flows are expected to increase and raise the underground water table to the surface in some neighborhoods.
As a result, the City of Kelowna and Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) are encouraging residents to monitor basements and crawlspaces in low-lying areas as well as prepare for road closures.
“We can hold back the lake with sand bags but we can’t stop the groundwater from seeping up. So throughout the city over the next month, you’ll see roads partially closed or closed because groundwater now moves as the lake water moves up,” said City Manager Ron Mattiussi during a news conference on Monday
Sections of the interior roads and parking lots at City Park have already been closed due to ground water.
CORD is asking residents in impacted or at-risk areas to protect property to 343.5 meters and consider setting up an additional buffer for properties positioned along the lake to protect from increased wave action.
“As of Sunday, we've raised the level that we feel people should protect their property to which 343.5 meters,” said Laura Wilson, Public Information Officer, Regional Emergency Operations Centre. “[Residents] should add in an additional buffer, especially if they're along the lake for wave action. We still have sandbagging going on... so property owners can get sandbags and place them around their property.”
For more information about sandbagging, click here.
During this time, residents and visitors are reminded to stay off flood protection measures. Jumping or walking on gabions or water dams is a public safety concern and could damage or undermine the device causing ruptures and significant water flows.
To stay updated with all the latest information regarding flooding and the rising water levels, click here.
To find out how you can help those affected by the flooding, click here.
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