RDKB EOC issues evacuation alerts to properties in Manly Meadows near Grand Forks
By Boundary Sentinel
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has issued evacuation alerts for seven properties in the low-lying Manly Meadows area of Electoral Area ‘D’/Rural Grand Forks due to the potential for loss of road access from rising Kettle River water levels.
The RDKB said residences of these properties listed in the attachment to this release are requested to be prepared to leave the area with very short notice.
The RDKB said the alert was issued to seven addresses in Edwards/Gilpin neighbourhood at midday today and affects about 18 people.
“Rainfall on May 17 and more rain forecast for the week of May 18 could cause flooding of low-lying areas and some properties could lose road access,” the RDKB media release said.
“Water levels are not expected to exceed those experienced in 2017.”
This alert may be followed by an immediate order to evacuate should conditions worsen.
The RDKB continues to monitor all creeks and rivers and track BC River Forecast Centre model is maintaining its Emergency Operations Centre at a Level 2 for the next week in preparation for any emergency response that may be required.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) encourages residents to monitor low-lying areas for potential impacts from rising groundwater with some flooding as we move into the weekend
The High Streamflow Advisory issued by BC River Forecast Centre on May 6 is still remains in effect for the Boundary Region including the Kettle River, West Kettle River, Granby River and tributaries.
Sandbags and sand are currently available for residents in the following locations free of charge:
- Beaverdell behind the Fire Hall
- Westbridge Hall
- Riverside Centre in Rock Creek
- Grand Forks Arena
Residents must bring their own tools and equipment (shovels, transportation) and respect a physical distance of two metres (six feet) between workers as they fill sandbags.
Residents in the Boundary who are most at risk of flooding should stay informed about local freshet conditions, and ensure they have considered plans for moving valuable items, livestock or other items to safe locations if required. The RDKB also asks everyone to stay well away from the edges of creeks and rivers as banks become unstable during high water.
For more information about snow and river levels as well as how to prepare for the 2020 freshet, visit emergency.rdkb.com.
To register for the RDKB Emergency Alerting System go to https://ca.voyent-alert.com/vras/user-registration.html. The RDKB warns everyone to stay away from the edges of watercourses and report any erosion or flooding to the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456.
The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.
