News Release No. 2 - Local State of Emergency Declared for the City of Kelowna

2022 Mission Creek Flooding

Date: June 14, 2022 
Time: 2:15 p.m. 

Kelowna, B.C. - A local State of Emergency has been declared for the Kelowna area in response to the threat to property caused by isolated flooding in Kelowna along Mission Creek, Scotty Creek and the upper reaches of Mill Creek.  

Over the past 24 hours, Kelowna has seen more rain than expected in the mountains and the valley, which has led to rising water levels in creeks and streams. The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has been activated.   

Affected areas include: 

  • Radant Road (closed) 
  • Parsons Road (open to local traffic) 
  • Bulman Road (closed) 
  • KLO Road at the KLO Bridge between Leader and Spiers Roads has intermittent closures due to the clearing of debris. Two staff are working 24 hours a day to ensure debris is cleared. Flaggers are also on site to direct traffic.
  • Casorso Road at Swamp Road is currently experiencing running water across the road, but the road remains open at this time. Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and plan their routes accordingly.   

Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. City crews are inspecting bridges, looking for debris in the areas and monitoring the water levels and the weather.  

Property owners in flood prone and low-lying areas are responsible for protecting their properties from possible flood damage and are encouraged to equip themselves with a flood plan and the necessary tools in case of flood.  

Sand and sandbags have been deployed to Radant and Parsons roads. Residents in affected areas that may be concerned about their properties can pick up sand and sandbags at Capital News Centre located at the corner of Gordon and Lequime roads.  

A state of emergency is an authority measure authorized by the Emergency Program Act. A declaration of a state of local emergency has to be initiated by either a local government bylaw or order and is valid for a period of seven days. 

Emergency powers available to the local authorities include:  

  • acquire or use any land or personal property considered necessary to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;  
  • authorize or require any person to render assistance of a type that the person is qualified to provide to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;  
  • cause the evacuation of persons and the removal of livestock, animals and personal property from any area of British Columbia that is or may be affected by an emergency or a disaster and make arrangements for the adequate care and protection of those persons, livestock, animals and personal property;  
  • authorize the entry into any building or on any land, without warrant, by any person in the course of implementing an emergency plan or program or if otherwise considered by the minister to be necessary to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;  
  • cause the demolition or removal of any trees, structures or crops if the demolition or removal is considered by the minister to be necessary or appropriate in order to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;  
  • construct works considered by the minister to be necessary or appropriate to prevent, respond to or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;    

Emergency response personnel request that the public: 

Who to call:  

To report an emergency, including threat of life, call 9-1-1.  

To report a flooding concern or potential problem (non-emergency) contact your local public works department.   

  • City of Kelowna: 250-469-8600  
  • City of West Kelowna: 778-797-1000  
  • District of Lake Country:  250-766-5650  
  • District of Peachland: 250-767-2108  
  • Westbank First Nations: 250-707-0493  
  • Regional District of Central Okanagan Electoral Areas East and West: 250-763-4918 

Some ways residents can get prepared:  

  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit  
  • Place your important documents and identification on an upper floor in a sealed plastic bag  
  • Know where the water and power shut off are in your house  
  • Have an evacuation plan, including for your pets  
  • If you have to use a pump, do not pump into the sanitary sewer system  
  • Review insurance available for your property – some coverage is available for overland flow (groundwater damage is typically not covered)  

For the most up to date information, visit cordemergency.ca. Information will also be provided via twitter.com/CO_Emerg and facebook.com/CORDEmergency. Emergency response personnel request that the public to please only call 911 in case of emergency. New information will be released to the media as soon as it becomes available. 

Media Contacts: 
Public Information Officer 
(250) 469-8493 

eeoc.pubinfo1@kelowna.ca 
cordemergency.ca 

http://facebook.com/cordemergency   
http://twitter.com/co_emerg