flooding

Flooding has become a reality for many communities in the Okanagan Valley as the region faces more extreme weather storms, blamed on the impact of climate change. (File photo)

Okanagan high target for spring flooding

Higher snowpack and mild winter precipitation levels raise concerns for Canada’s insurance industry

  • Jan 23, 2021

 

The splash park, playground and neighbouring washroom facilities remain closed at Vernon’s Polson Park due to pooling of groundwater. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Stagnant water keeps popular Vernon playground closed

Splash park, playground and washrooms still closed at Polson Park due to water pooling

 

Kalamalka Lake levels for June 2020 had the Kalavista Boat Launch docks under water all spring and up until July 22 when the launch finally reopened. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Coldstream reopens boat launches

More launches expected to ease congestion at Kekuli Bay

 

The Cache Creek fire hall escaped flooding in April 2020 (pictured), but rapidly rising water levels following heavy rainfall on July 1 choked a culvert near the hall and caused flooding to it and a nearby park. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

300 Cache Creek residents on evacuation alert due to flood risk as river rises

Heavy rainfall on Canada Day has river rising steadily, threatening 175 properties

The Cache Creek fire hall escaped flooding in April 2020 (pictured), but rapidly rising water levels following heavy rainfall on July 1 choked a culvert near the hall and caused flooding to it and a nearby park. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
The skate park in Polson Park is a pool following June 30 rainstorms. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Water floods Vernon skate park, playground

Polson Park remains closed following Tuesday storms

The skate park in Polson Park is a pool following June 30 rainstorms. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Kalamalka Lake levels for June 2020 have the Kalavista Boat Launch docks under water. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

No wakeboards urged on Okanagan lakes

Lake Country councillor calls for wakeboarders to hold off during high water

Kalamalka Lake levels for June 2020 have the Kalavista Boat Launch docks under water. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A washed out river bank has encroached upon three properties along 25th Avenue in Vernon, the neighbours told the Morning Star Friday, June 12, 2020. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Okanagan neighbours losing their yards to creek washout

The Vernon neighbours say they’ve spoken to the city about removing debris from the creek, to no avail

A washed out river bank has encroached upon three properties along 25th Avenue in Vernon, the neighbours told the Morning Star Friday, June 12, 2020. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
A debris build-up has accumulated in Vernon Creek, running parallel to 25th Avenue in Vernon. Some properties in the area have been damaged following a heavy downpour Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Anna Marie Spiller photo)

Vernon homes flood following storm

More rain is on the forecast for the Okanagan Valley throughout the weekend

A debris build-up has accumulated in Vernon Creek, running parallel to 25th Avenue in Vernon. Some properties in the area have been damaged following a heavy downpour Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Anna Marie Spiller photo)
Water flows from behind the retaining wall along Hospital Hill on Highway 97 in Vernon Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Karen Hill - Black Press Media)

Water springs from retaining wall near Vernon’s Polson Park

Vernon park, neighbouring road closed due to flooding until further notice

Water flows from behind the retaining wall along Hospital Hill on Highway 97 in Vernon Thursday, June 11, 2020. (Karen Hill - Black Press Media)
Mill Creek running high below a residential bridge in Kelowna on May 7, 2020. That same bridge was completely underwater two years previous during 2018 floods. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)

Risk of Okanagan flooding decreases despite rainy week ahead

The River Forecast Centre has ended its high streamflow advisory for the Central and North Okanagan

Mill Creek running high below a residential bridge in Kelowna on May 7, 2020. That same bridge was completely underwater two years previous during 2018 floods. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)
On May 31, 2020, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen declared a state of emergency for the Cawston area because of the risk of flooding in the area. The state of emergency as well as an evacuation order and an evacuation alert have now been rescinded. (Regional District of Okananagan-Similkameen map)

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen rescinds evacuation order and alerts for Cawston area

Orders had been issued because of flooding concerns in region

On May 31, 2020, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen declared a state of emergency for the Cawston area because of the risk of flooding in the area. The state of emergency as well as an evacuation order and an evacuation alert have now been rescinded. (Regional District of Okananagan-Similkameen map)
River levels throughout the interior have been high due to snowmelt and rainfall. The River Forecast Centre has predicted a high risk of flooding in this summer in many areas. (Black Press file photo)

How to safely drink water in areas impacted by flooding

Quality and safety of drinking water can be affected during and after floods

River levels throughout the interior have been high due to snowmelt and rainfall. The River Forecast Centre has predicted a high risk of flooding in this summer in many areas. (Black Press file photo)
Shuswap Falls Hydro park is under water near Lumby June 1, 2020. (Ardis Miller photo)

North Okanagan bands together to block flood water

Creeks swollen and flowing over roads near Lumby, threatening properties

Shuswap Falls Hydro park is under water near Lumby June 1, 2020. (Ardis Miller photo)
High water levels at Mission Creek in Kelowna, B.C. (Photo - Jen Zielinski)

RDCO closes section of Mission Creek due to high water levels

RDCO urges visitors to respect closure signs posted at these locations until waters recede

High water levels at Mission Creek in Kelowna, B.C. (Photo - Jen Zielinski)
A river runs through Hanson Park in Cherryville June 1, 2020. (Submitted Photo)

High water floods North Okanagan park

Water rushing through Hanson Park in Cherryville

A river runs through Hanson Park in Cherryville June 1, 2020. (Submitted Photo)
UPDATE: B.C.’s Central Kootenay issues evacuation orders for hundreds of residents due to flooding

UPDATE: B.C.’s Central Kootenay issues evacuation orders for hundreds of residents due to flooding

An evacuation alert covers all areas except the Cities of Castelgar and Nelson

UPDATE: B.C.’s Central Kootenay issues evacuation orders for hundreds of residents due to flooding
North and Central Okanagan on flood watch

North and Central Okanagan on flood watch

Kalamalka Lake users are asked to take measure to reduce the risk…

North and Central Okanagan on flood watch
A duck is perched on the fence at the Fintry gate house Monday, May 18 which is flooded. (Vyvienne Findlay photo)

Okanagan’s Fintry Park gate house flooded

Park users will have to do some wading

A duck is perched on the fence at the Fintry gate house Monday, May 18 which is flooded. (Vyvienne Findlay photo)
The RDKB issued evacuation alerts for seven properties on Manly Meadows Road in rural Grand Forks on May 18, 2020, for fear that their road access would be cut off by water. (RDKB/Submitted)

Properties in Grand Forks issued evacuation alerts

Rising river water may cause road access to be cut off, RDKB says

The RDKB issued evacuation alerts for seven properties on Manly Meadows Road in rural Grand Forks on May 18, 2020, for fear that their road access would be cut off by water. (RDKB/Submitted)
In the spring of 2018, Eneas Creek and other Summerland creeks flooded. This year, while municipal crews are watching the creek levels, significant flooding is not anticipated in Summerland. (Black Press file photo)

Flooding not expected at Summerland creeks

Snow pack has melted and reservoirs are now spilling

In the spring of 2018, Eneas Creek and other Summerland creeks flooded. This year, while municipal crews are watching the creek levels, significant flooding is not anticipated in Summerland. (Black Press file photo)