State of Local Emergency expanded city-wide for Kelowna

News Release No. 17 Kelowna, B.C.  - A State of Local Emergency has been expanded city-wide for Kelowna as a precautionary measure due to potential high stream flows on local creeks and high ground water levels.

“The state of emergency is a proactive approach that provides crews access to specific private properties in order to protect public infrastructure,” says the Central Okanagan’s Emergency Operations Centre. “The state of emergency will remain in place for seven days, and is often renewed until the situation lapses.”

Previously for Kelowna, a State of Local Emergency was declared Apr 26, and renewed May 3, for Mill Creek from the eastern city limits to the Okanagan Lake. This has since been rescinded and replaced with a city-wide state of local emergenercy.

City-wide local states of emergency also exist for Peachland and West Kelowna, and in the  Central Okanagan’s West Electoral Area in the vicinity of Westside Road N from 5625 Westside Road to the Regional Boundary.

Flood prevention and mitigation efforts are underway throughout the region as officials continue to monitor roads, culverts, weather, creeks and streams. Bulman Road in Kelowna is currently closed due to overland flooding, including access to Shadow Ridge Golf Course.

Property owners near creeks and streams, especially those who may have experienced flooding in the past, are being asked to proactively prepare. Several evacuation alerts and orders continue to remain throughout the region.

For up-to-date information, including evacuation alerts and orders that remain in place, as well as flood-preparedness resources, sign up for e-updates, visit cordemergency.ca, or call the information line at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).