Floodwaters recede in parts of B.C., but other areas still on high alert
2 men presumed dead in Cache Creek, Tappen as Kelowna residents begin to assess damage
LATEST:
- States of emergency: Grand Forks, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lumby and Fintry Delta.
- Flood watch: Salmon River.
- High streamflow advisory: Southeast B.C., Shuswap region, Kettle River, Boundary.
Sunshine in parts of B.C.'s Interior on Sunday eased the threat and impact of flooding, butother areas in the region andprovince remain on high alert.
Two people are presumed dead due to high water levels and a mudslide.
TheRiver Forecast Centre expecteda "drying trend" Sunday, and conditions improved for rushing creeks and streams in the Shuswap, Okanagan and Boundary regions as rain heldoff.
However, states of emergency are still in effect for the City of Kelowna, West Kelowna, the Fintry Delta, and Grand Forks.
There is also a state of emergency inLumby, where 25 homes are under evacuation order and 80 are on alert.
On Sundayevacuation orders were issued for severalresidences nearLake Country. Water levels in lakes around the municipality are said to be rising quickly.
#LakeCountry neighbours in areas of Holiday Park and Turtle Lodges are under an Evacuation Order Sunday... https://t.co/UIIWOZFWqb
—@LakeCountryBC
Evacuation orders are also in effect for just over 90 properties in Kelowna.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan estimates that300 people are out of their homes in total and about 180 people have registered with emergency services.
Some residents who were displaced were able to return home to survey the damage, but many are still being told to prepare to leave at a moment's notice.
Margaret Szombathy's basement flooded on Marshall Street as waters quickly rose on Friday.
"It's pretty frightening to watch," Szombathysaid, as she assessed the damage on Sunday.
On Friday, Environment Canada postedsevere thunderstorm watches for huge swaths of the province's central and southern Interior. Floods caused by rain and snow meltwere already a problem.
Jason Marzinzic has lived in Kelowna's Capri neighbourhood for nearly 15 years and said he's never seen anything like what happened on Saturday.
"We've had little bits of flooding but never anything else remotely like this before. I mean, this is pretty amazing ...I've gotwater past my knees in my yard."
This is Sutherland Ave yesterday vs today in Kelowna. Flood waters have retreated after creek spilled its banks this weekend. pic.twitter.com/M6ff3lHTJe
—@BradyStrachan
Residents removing sandbags on Sutherland Ave. in Kelowna. Flood waters have receded and people are now cleaning up & assessing the damage. pic.twitter.com/PBfotC7boV
—@BradyStrachan
Kirsten Jones, with the Central Okanagan'sEmergency Operations Centre said that displaced residents would most likely be out of their homes Sunday night, even though many are asking why they haven't been allowed to return.
"There'sa process we have to go through to make sure everyone is safe including having an electrical inspection of the property," she said.
Meanwhile, the province is offering financial assistance to victims ofthe flooding.
NEW: Financial assistance available for central interior flooding victims, https://t.co/wKs48ErmEj #BC
—@BCGovNews
The assistance isavailable to home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farmers, charitable organizations and local government bodies that wereunable to obtain insurance to cover these disaster-related losses.
Claims can be made for eligible damage that exceeds $1,000. The maximum claim is $300,000. Submissions must be made by August 5, 2017.
Wet Kootenays
A stateof emergency wascalled in Grand Forks by the Regional District ofKootenayBoundary on Sunday although there have been no evacuation alerts or orders.
Overflowed rivers in the cityled to water-logged fields and puddles for parking lots.
Kettle River near Grand Forks from the air#BCflood #boundaryflooding #GrandForksBC pic.twitter.com/MJvcDEqIvJ
—@RDKB_Emergency
The district is keeping an eye on up to 40 homes that are threatened by high water levels. Crews are placing sandbags and constructing dykes to keep the water at bay.
2 presumed dead
Cache Creek Fire Chief Clayton Cassidy disappeared Friday after he went to check water levels near a local campground. A massive search effort was launched after the 59-year-old man's truck was found running near the water's edge.
On Sunday afternoon, RCMP confirmed that the search had turned into a recovery mission.
A Tappen senior is also suspected to have perishedafter a home was swept away in a mudslide. The 76-year-old was last known to be inside. Crews from as far as Vancouver have been dispatched to try and find him.
"Search efforts to recover the man's body are continuing Sunday as well as on Monday," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
Meanwhile residents with properties close to the home where the victim was say they're worried about more mudslides happening.
"It's a pretty concerning time," said Shuswap property owner Chris Branch.
Road closures
Several roads closures remain in effect Sunday due to flooding.
They include major disruptions on Highways 1, 6EW, 8, 97A, and 97D.
A look at #BCHwy97D near #LoganLake. No est opening time currently. Details: https://t.co/VVN9xxtoqc pic.twitter.com/rEnAUJJ9Tm
—@DriveBC
For the latest impacts to #BC highway travel, check @DriveBC. Here's the current list of events: https://t.co/uoTKa1gUMK pic.twitter.com/BMW7UzZFLT
—@DriveBC
With files from CBC's Brady Strachan,Rhianna Schmunkand Bob Keating