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‘Be prepared’: Ice jam warnings remain in place near Similkameen River

Heavy snowfall is expected to hit the South Okanagan on Wednesday, potentially covering hazards
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Ice jams are causing potential flooding along the Similkameen River Wednesday evening. (RDOS photo)

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) issued a reminder on Jan. 5 to residents near the Similkameen River to be aware of the potential for flooding and other hazards near waterways.

The district’s emergency operations centre released a statement on Dec. 29 informing people that a significant amount of ice made its way onto the Similkameen River, causing water levels to potentially rise over minutes or hours.

The regional district is again asking residents and visitors near the river to “be prepared to leave on short notice, ahead of the snowfall warnings issued across the region for Wednesday night.

The RDOS added that snowfall may cover hazards near waterways and riverbanks.

Even if a resident’s property is not under an evacuation alert, the regional district is still asking people to be prepared to leave in the case of unexpected rising water levels because of ice jams.

Evacuation alerts have been issued in rural Princeton (Electoral Area H) and rural Keremeos (Electoral Area G).

Three properties in rural Princeton were listed, as well as two in the Keremeos area:

• 1260 Highway 3

• 1264 Highway 3

• 1306 Highway 3

• 3455 Highway 3 (Rural Keremeos)

• 3491 Highway 3 (Rural Keremeos)

READ MORE: Ice jams cause evacuation alerts in rural Keremeos and Princeton

The occurrence of water flows can cause flooding when significant amounts of ice make their way onto area rivers.

Any blockages or rising ice levels are to be reported to the regional district’s emergency operations centre.

READ MORE: Ice jams could cause Similkameen River to rise


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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