Wednesday, December 8, 2021 4:00 pm

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) continues to work with local and provincial partners, Indigenous communities, and volunteers to support recovery efforts across the region.

Water Testing and safety information

Please find the latest Information on drinking-water wells in flooded areas of B.C

BC Centre For Disease Control have issued the following information for dealing with sittuations when flood water may have contaminated your well or the public drinking water system. Follow all public health advisories on public drinking water.

Private wells: assess the risk of contamination, disinfect the well, and test the water to ensure it is safe. For an approved list of  laboratories for drinking water microbiology testing from Interior Health Authority, please click here.

Flooded septic systems: Like drinking water systems, septic systems may need to be assessed before use if the field has become saturated during a flood.

Never use flood water or contaminated drinking water for drinking, preparation of baby food, personal hygiene (e.g., washing or brushing teeth) or washing dishes or surfaces.

There may be other sources of safe water around the home.

Technical Safety BC - Flood Safety Protocols

Asset owners who have had equipment rooms affected by flooding should contact a Technical Safety BC licensed boiler or refrigeration contractor to assess equipment prior to re-energization.

Send an email to: BPVRSupport@technicalsafetybc.ca

Rapid Damage Assessment

Tteams visited properties in the region including Tulameen and Coalmont in Electoral Area H (Rural Princeton) as well as the Town of Princeton. Re-entry kits and information was distributed directly to properties impacted by flooding.

If you have a coloured placard on your home, please be aware of what your placard means. 

With many homes impacted, various placards have been issued. For steps and protocols, including colour designations, please visit the Resources tab at https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca and select Recovery Information to view the checklist for re-entry.

Tulameen Resiliency Centre:

The resiliency centre will be open: Thursday, December 9, 2021, and  Sunday, December 12, 2021, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Tulameen Community Centre.

Resource information will be available to support immediate health and recovery needs, including Emergency Support Services (ESS), Canadian Red Cross, and Disaster Financial Assistance.

Thursday – health support: nurse practitioner and disaster psychosocial professional on-site

Sunday – recovery support: Building Officials and restoration specialists will be avaialable to assist with tips and information to assist with property remediation

Permanent residents who are unable to return home due to flooding damage may continue to be supported by Emergency Support Services program.

Emergency Support Services (ESS): ess.gov.bc.ca | 250-486-1890

Canadian Red Cross: The first step to access this financial assistance is to register online: https://registration.redcross.ca or by telephone: 1-800-863-6582 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm.)

Disaster Financial Assistance for evacuee guidance Phone: 1-888-257-4777 (toll-free)

Sandbagging Locations

Sand and sandbags are being removed from sandbagging locations. Some filled sandbags may still be available. For current sandbagging locations, please visit RDOS mapping or call the EOC at 250-490-4225.

Recovery after a flood

To learn more about returning home and managing mould and health risks, visit the floods page at gov.bc.ca.

Cleaning up after a flood can pose health risks. You may see or smell mould on clothing, drywall, furniture, cardboard boxes or books, but it may also be hidden under or behind items like carpet, cushions or walls.

Consider creating a cleanup and recovery plan. Just like having an emergency plan, it will help you organize what needs to be done to return your home to normal.

Highways

The washout of Tulameen River Road has been repaired with the construction of a temporary road access. This road is now open to all vehicle access.

Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Do not use backcountry of Forest Services Roads due to potential erosion. If you must travel, check drivebc.ca for the latest updates.

Voyent Alert! now activated

Once you’ve registered, you are automatically signed up for emergency notifications.

Get the Voyent Alert! app at the App Store or Google Play. For email, text or phone registration get started here: https://register.voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

Issued by EOC Director