Update: June 20, 2022 – The State Of Emergency Extension request has been approved and is extended until June 27, 2022.
June 17, 2022 – The District of Sparwood will be requesting an extension of a State of Local Emergency (SOLE), and partially rescinding an evacuation alert at 15:00 hours on June 17, 2022. Both events were initially announced on June 13, 2022 in response to flooding risks caused by freshet and a significant heavy rainfall event.
The evacuation alert for 9555 Highway 43 – lower Lodgepole Mobile Home Park, properties along GN Road and 1200 Matevic Road is cancelled. 100 Aspen Drive, better known as Mountainview Mobile Home Park will continue to remain on alert.
The SOLE and evacuation alert for the Mobile Home Park will be in place as the District investigates serious concerns relating to the erosion of the dike adjacent to the Park. Imminent risk remains at this location given the erosion that has occurred, remaining snowpack, and the forecast over the next week. “The safety of residents is our number one priority,” says Sparwood Mayor David Wilks. Requesting the extension for the SOLE, set to expire on June 20 at midnight, will allow us to continue to take action. To date, we have worked with the Province along with a qualified engineer who has confirmed that there is a hazard. Therefore, the District of Sparwood will take remedial action, when authorized by the Province. The continuation of the evacuation alert for this area advises residents to be prepared, should the situation not improve. The SOLE allows the municipality to act, protecting residents and property from imminent danger, within areas of private property such as this. Ultimately, any action undertaken will be done expediently for short term protection purposes, and the responsibility to fix it properly and permanently will lie with the diking authority which is the property owner.”
An engineering assessment and plan is being developed to address the erosion and residents are reminded to avoid this area, and along all bodies of water during freshet. “With erosion and undercutting occurring in this area in particular, residents must stay clear,” says Mayor Wilks. “It may not seem like an issue to the naked eye, but there is a serious hazard here. We have received many reports of park residents concentrating to this location to take a look, but I cannot express enough the danger of this. One slip or slough could result in devastating consequences.”
All residents are strongly encouraged to be prepared for spring flooding by having a safety plan in place, creating a grab-and-go bag, and following reliable news sources. Updates will continue to be posted on the District of Sparwood website at www.sparwood.ca and the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sparwood.BC. Information on flooding preparedness can be found at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/floods.
Post Date: June 17, 2022 | Category: News & Updates