Parker’s Cove evac order expanded, non-emergency personnel told to leave area

The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) has once again expanded the evacuation order for the area around Parker’s Cove and urged all non-emergency personnel to leave.

The order now includes beachfront properties between Raven Road and 209 Saskatoon Rd.

In addition, the OKIB “strongly recommends” that non-emergency personnel leave the area.

“OKIB would like to remind evacuated residents still residing in the order area that staying in the vicinity is at your own risk to your life and health,” the band said in a notice issued late Wednesday night.

The band says it continues to monitor the creek systems on reserve during the freshet flooding event and work towards mitigation measures.

The flooding began slowly early this week and became significant on Tuesday, with rushing water from Whiteman’s Creek pouring through the neighbourhood and surrounding homes. Officials called it a one-in-200-year flooding event.

“Flood waters (Wednesday) have been undermining land and undercutting sizable trees in the area, causing uncontrolled falls,” explained the OKIB.

“While flow levels were reduced for some of the day, the EOC would like to remind residents in the area that conditions can change rapidly including land instability, flood water flow levels and water depth.”

Anyone who remains in the area is urged to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.

They should also avoid recreational activities like fishing, swimming, boating or hiking near high streamflow waterways.

“Remember, high streamflow can easily trap strong swimmers, increasing risk of drowning,” the OKIB warned. “During a high streamflow advisory, conditions can change quickly.”

The entire Okanagan region remains under a flood watch at this time.