The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a High Streamflow Advisory affecting the Mission Creek and other small watersheds in the Okanagan.

The advisory means that with significant rains yesterday and more rain in the forecast into tomorrow, river levels are rising or are expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected.  Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible in the Central Okanagan.

With a change in the weather expected to bring rain, the BC River Forecast Centre has upgraded an earlier streamflow advisory to a Flood Watch for the Mission Creek watershed.

A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.  Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.  The Provincial agency says Mission Creek is sensitive to any additional water input that may happen as a result of forecast rain on Monday and Tuesday, with heavier rain amounts expected over higher terrain.  If rainfall amounts are lower than forecast, flooding may not occur.

With warmer daytime temperatures in the forecast, it’s expected more snow at the higher elevations will melt resulting in faster flows and rising levels of Central Okanagan creeks and streams. 

While there are currently no watches or advisories in effect, residents and property owners in low lying and flood prone areas are encouraged to take the steps they need to prepare and protect their properties as conditions can change rapidly during the spring runoff.

Regional District of Central Okanagan, B.C. – The Evacuation Alert for properties in Wilsons Landing has been rescinded. The BC Wildfire Management Branch has determined the immediate threat has passed for the properties on evacuation alert since July 30. If the situation changes, further information will be issued or visit the RDCO Emergency website at www.cordemergency.ca .

The Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre has issued an Evacuation Alert for some residents of the Wilsons Landing area of the potential danger due to the Wilsons Landing forest fire.

The BC River Forecast Centre has ended a High Streamflow Advisory for Mission Creek.

While the creek flow and level has dropped over the past 24 hours, the Central Okanagan Regional Emergency Program continues to urge residents to stay safely back from the edge of local creeks and streams.  Creek banks could be slippery due to the recent high water levels and in some places, may have sustained erosion and undercutting.

The Central Okanagan Regional Emergency Program and Joe Rich Fire Rescue are continuing to monitor the status of a property adjacent to Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area.

This afternoon, a Professional Engineer and program officials attended the private property, in the 11,200 block of Highway 33 near the Three Forks Bridge.  While Mission Creek is flowing around the principle residence, the Engineer has determined that at the present time, there are no required actions that could be safely completed due to the high water.

There some good news for those property owners that might have been affected by the recent flooding in Kelowna.

Emergency Management BC has advised the Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Program that Disaster Financial Assistance has been approved related to any Overland Flooding damage caused by the rain induced flooding June 9th. 

A Local State of Emergency has been rescinded now that work to protect Mission Creek has successfully and safely been completed.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan declared a Local State of Emergency in order to protect the environment of Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area of the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.

The declaration allows the Regional District to access a property in the 11200 Block of Highway 33, near Mission Creek and the Three Forks Bridge crossing the creek, in order to conduct a professional engineering assessment and take appropriate actions related to outbuildings and structures on the property.  With high creek flows and levels of the creek there is an imminent risk to public health and safety and the environment of the creek.

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan for 14 properties in the eastern portion of Joe Rich adjacent to Mission Creek due to the potential for flooding as a result of increased water flows and levels of Mission Creek.

Significant rainfall forecast for the Central Okanagan this week could result in rising water levels in area creeks and streams. 

Overnight tonight and tomorrow, up to 30 millimeters of rain is possible for our area and as a result, the Central Okanagan Regional Emergency Program is advising those property owners living in low-lying areas near creeks to remain alert and take steps to protect their properties in case water levels rise quickly.

It’s expected that with warmer daytime temperatures in the forecast, more snow in the higher elevations will melt resulting in faster flows and rising levels of Central Okanagan creeks and streams.  The BC River Forecast Centre has a High Streamflow Advisory in place for the Okanagan.

Central Okanagan waterfront property owners and those living near creeks, streams and low lying areas should consider making annual flood protection preparations.  They’re responsible for taking the necessary precautions against the risk of flooding.

Local governments and the Provincial Government are monitoring water levels and weather conditions connected to the annual spring runoff and if needed will issue further notices. 

After assessing McDougall Creek near Hitchner Road, which overflowed its banks last night, the District of West Kelowna is lifting the Local State of Emergency. The area is still at risk due to continuing rainy conditions and spring thaw activity, but emergency and District Operations personnel will keep a close watch in the coming hours. As there is no imminent threat to life and safety, the State of Emergency has been lifted.

With the rescinding of the remaining Evacuation Alerts at 4:00 pm, September 7th for the Bear Creek Fire, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) is no longer activated and operating.

In the event of an emergency and EOC activation, current information will be posted on this website, cordemergency.ca.

We encourage you to subscribe in order to receive the latest email updates when the Emergency Operation Centre is operating during any emergency in the Central Okanagan.

With great progress made on fighting the Bear Creek wildfire and supporting weather conditions, on a recommendation from the BC Wildfire Management Branch, effective at 6:00 pm this evening, the Emergency Operation Centre is rescinding the Evacuation Order affecting approximately 550 residents of Traders Cove and Bear Creek Main Forest Service Road and about 100 visitors to Bear Creek Provincial Park.

Residents living on Westside Road south of Bear Creek Provincial Park and north of Sailview Bay (901 Westside Road) are on evacuation alert effective immediately. All residents should be prepared to evacuate on very short notice.