UPDATED: RDKB lifts evacuation orders for Christina Lake properties
By Boundary Sentinel
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) lifted evacuation orders for three homes in the Fife Road area on the east side of Christina Lake this afternoon.
Residents have been out of their homes since the early morning hours of April 25 when debris blocking a creek at higher elevation gave way sending a torrent of water, mud and debris toward the three homes.
Residents can now return home to begin cleanup work and assess damage.
“We’re continuing to work on removing the debris in the creek so that flows are unimpeded, and the local state of emergency will remain in place for a few days to allow us to work with provincial government staff to complete that work,” said Mark Stephens, EOC Director for the RDKB.
The RDKB continues to monitor all creeks and rivers and track BC River Forecast Centre and Environment Canada weather information. The RDKB Emergency Operations Centre is activated to Level 1 and is prepared for any ongoing emergency response that may be required.
The RDKB warns everyone to stay away from the edges of watercourses during the annual freshet and asks residents to report erosion and flooding to the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456.
For more information about snow and river levels, how to prepare for the 2021 freshet, and to register for the RDKB Emergency Alerting System visit emergency.rdkb.com.
Three Christina Lake properties in ordered to evacuate overnight due to flooding
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said in a media release that evacuation orders have been issued for three homes in the Fife Road area on the east side of Christina Lake.
The RDKB said no one has been injured, although some property damage has occurred.
The RDCKB asid debris blocked a creek at higher elevation sometime overnight, and with rainfall and buildup of water, the blockage gave way in the early morning hours. Local residents awoke to water and debris flowing against and around their homes and called 911.
Christina Lake Fire and Rescue responded, assisted residents and contacted RDKB Emergency Program staff.
“We’re thankful no one was hurt and we’re working closely with staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development today to investigate the specific cause of the flood,” said Mark Stephens, EOC Director for the RDKB.
“Creek levels have dropped and rain has let up so we can now take a closer look at what happened and why.”
Stephens said engineers are in the very early stages of a site investigation. The creek shows evidence of past beaver activity and instream works.
RDKB partners at the Canadian Red Cross through Emergency Support Services are helping residents find temporary accommodation in Christina Lake while the flood investigation takes place.
The RDKB continues to monitor all creeks and rivers and track BC River Forecast Centre and Environment Canada weather information. The RDKB Emergency Operations Centre is activated to Level 1 and is prepared for any ongoing emergency response that may be required.
The RDKB warns everyone to stay away from the edges of watercourses during the annual freshet and asks residents to report erosion and flooding to the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre at 1-800-663-3456.
For more information about snow and river levels, how to prepare for the 2021 freshet, and to register for the RDKB Emergency Alerting System visit emergency.rdkb.com.
The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.
