RDKB News Release: Friday, May 5th 7 pm Summary

News Release
Issued by:           Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
Issued:                Friday, May 5, 2023 | 7 PT
Website:             emergency.rdkb.com

RDKB EOC Update

As we head into the weekend, the RDKB’s Regional Emergency Operations Centre is preparing for further flooding in the Boundary.

“The forecast is calling for thunderstorms and heavy precipitation throughout the evening,” says Linda Worley, RDKB Board Chair. “If we receive 40—50 mms, we could see waters rise significantly. RDKB staff members are in Grand Forks to assist the city and our Boundary communities during these rapidly changing conditions.”

As of this evening, the status of Evacuation Orders and Alerts is as follows:

Evacuation Order:       1 property on Jmayoff Road in Rural Grand Forks

Evacuation Order
:       11 properties in Manly Meadows

Evacuation Order:       10 properties at Beatrice & Division in South Johnson Flats

Evacuation Alert:         34 addresses on 12th St in Johnson Flats (Grand Forks)

Evacuation Alert:         591 addresses from Carmi to Christina Lake (excluding Greenwood &
Grand Forks)

RDKB Board Vice Chair and Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor said her residents are keeping a close eye on the creeks and on the lake in her jurisdiction.

Residents are urged to keep apprised of changing conditions by checking with the RDKB’s emergency management site at https://emergency.rdkb.com/Current-Emergencies/Freshet-2023

Sandbags are available for those who need them at several stations throughout the Boundary. Please check the list of locations at https://emergency.rdkb.com/Current-Emergencies/Freshet-2023

Area D Director Linda Kay Wiese and Area E Director Sharen Gibbs are urging their residents to access official sources of information on the RDKB website and to sign up for the Voyent emergency alert system at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration. Please note that only those residents who are in an Evacuation Order or Alert area will receive a notification.

Evacuation Orders will be delivered to residents in the order area by EOC officials. If you have been evacuated, we recommend that you arrange to stay with friends or family. If you need assistance, Emergency Support Services will be provided to those affected through our partners at the Canadian Red Cross.

The public is advised to exercise caution and stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks and potentially unstable riverbanks. They are also requested to report any woody debris and log jams that have been mobilised during the high-streamflow period to FrontCounter BC.

For more information:

The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.