Skip to content

State of emergency declared in Joe Rich

CORD has declared a state of emergency to protect the environment of Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area of the Central Okanagan East.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has declared a local state of emergency in order to protect the environment of Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area of the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.

The declaration allows the Regional District to access a property in the 11200-block of Highway 33, near Mission Creek and the Three Forks Bridge crossing the creek, in order to conduct a professional engineering assessment and take appropriate actions related to outbuildings and structures on the property.  With high creek flows and levels of the creek there is an imminent risk to public health and safety and the environment of the creek.

In addition, the professional assessments will also include recommendations for actions to eliminate any threat posed by logjams in the creek in this area.

Meanwhile, an evacuation alert remains in effect for 14 properties in the eastern portion of Joe Rich near Mission Creek, as the potential remains for possible flooding.

Weather and creek conditions are being monitored by Joe Rich Fire Rescue and the Regional Emergency Program.

The status of the alert will be evaluated over the next few days and will be affected by any changes in both the creek levels and weather, said CORD spokesman Bruce Smith.

Property owners in the evacuation alert area should remain alert to changing water conditions and are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect their properties and structures from possible flood damage in the event that conditions rapidly change.

All people should stay well back and away from the banks of Mission Creek due to the high flows and the potential for sloughing, bank erosion and slippery creek banks, said Smith.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to any evacuation order that might be necessary. However, due to changing conditions there may be limited notice provided to residents.

Sandbags are available for those facing imminent threat at the Joe Rich Fire Hall 11481 Highway 33 east and other local fire halls in the Central Okanagan. If you notice flooding in your area, contact the regional fire dispatch at 250-469-8577.

The following properties are on evacuation alert: 11250 and 11490 Highway 33 East, 11481 Three Forks Road and 11600, 11700, 11800, 11900, 11505, 12025, 12310, 12326, 12342, 12458 and 12474 Greystokes Road. Information and pamphlets on flood preparedness are available from CORD and the main Kelowna fire hall on Enterprise Way.