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RDKB issues evacuation ORDER for 18 properties

The Kettle & Granby rivers are expected to peak late June 1, 2020.

Though rain has subsided and the next few days will by dryer, more peaks for the Kettle River is expected in a few days from now, according to the RDKB Emergency Operations Centre.

Rivers may reach similar levels to that of 2017. For residents on low lying areas, evacuation alerts may turn to orders this week.

The following links are the current evacuation orders made by the RDKB.

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Johnson Flats / Manly Meadows 13 addresses

Granby Road 5 addresses

RDCK and the Ministry of Environment Water Stewardship Division (BC Water Stewardship) say they have been working closely on installing temporary flood protection works in and around Grand Forks.

Earthen berms have been set up in areas including downtown Grand Forks and in specific neighbourhoods where flood experts have been
working to ensure flood protection is suitable and will be effective.

Unfortunately, while some temporary flood protection works near complete, others prove “technically unfeasible.”

“We have had professionals on site looking at the possibility of installing a variety of structures and have made the joint decision with provincial staff that the risks of back-watering, ground water and creating a whole new channel path for the river by installing anything on this site are too great. This is a very difficult site from a hydrological standpoint,” said Mark Stephens, EOC Director.

Crews assessed other areas, including the Beatrice Street area of Johnson Flats for installation of temporary flood protection. However, the RDKB and WSD determined there is no safe way to install either earthen berms, Tiger Dams (large, tubular bladders ready to be filled with water) or HESCO Floodline bins (large, flexible cubes ready to be filled with earth) to prevent water from entering properties or damaging other properties at risk.

“This is not a decision we take lightly and I know it is disappointing to local residents who have seen our equipment in their neighbourhood and were hoping to see some kind of dikeor berm in place,” said Roly Russell, RDKB Director for Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks.

Russell added, “We will meet with neighborhood residents soon to review the risks and benefits of the long term options available for Johnson Flats, and to collaborate on identifying future direction for what has been a really complex and frankly somewhat defeating challenge. I’m sorry we don’t have simpler answers or a clearer path forward identified for everyone there, especially given that they are dealing with flooding so regularly.”

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