Six Beatrice Street properties in Johnson Flats near Grand Forks will have to wait at least 48 hours to return to their homes as of May 20, 2020
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said in Wednesday’s release that though water is receding from the area, the evacuation order will remain in affect until damage is assessed and access is fully restored.
“We are aware that it’s extremely stressful and disruptive, especially during this pandemic, to be asked to leave your home,“ said Mark Stephens, EOC Director.
At 1:30 am on Tuesday, high rainfall led the Kettle River to breach an illegally constructed berm, cutting off the six homes.
Earlier in the week high rainfall lead to eight current evacuation alerts in the low-lying Manly Meadows area.
“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 EOC announced on their current emergencies page.
For now, Stephens said RDKB building officials are working with EOC crews to assess possible damage to two homes.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will also step in to repair damage to Beatrice Street, as well as damage to Manly Meadows Road.
As for the next few days, the river will, “remain high, and vulnerable to rising if rain exceeds forecasts.”
RDKB residents in low-lying areas are asked keep a keen eye on the potential impacts from rising groundwater with some flooding as the weekend approaches.
Sandbags and sand are currently available for residents free of charge in the following locations:
- 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.
Being aware and vigilant while rivers rise in the spring is the EOC’s general message.
“While flood levels are still at a two-year return level —or at levels typically seen in a normal freshet year— changes to the river from catastrophic flooding in 2018 have altered flow patterns and eroded some areas that may not have seen flooding at existing river levels in past years,” the EOC added. “Water levels in the West Kettle, Kettle and Granby rivers are not forecast to surpass a two to five-year return level.”
To stay informed on current snow and river levels and a guide on how to prepare for the 2020 freshet, follow this link.
To register for the RDKB Emergency Alerting System, follow this link.