UPDATE 5 p.m.
Highway 3 has reopened in both directions with one lane alternating between Hedley-Nickleplate Rd and Ashnola Rd for 5.5 km (3 to 9 km west of Keremeos). DriveBC is advising drivers to watch for traffic control and reduced speed zone. The next update will be on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 PM.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) has rescinded the Evacuation Order issued for Electoral Area “G” effective Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
A geotechnical assessment of the situation was completed this afternoon and determined that the risk of rock fall has returned to previous levels.
FortisBC has advised that power has been restored to the area.
TELUS services are still currently experiencing a disruption.
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UPDATE 2:51 p.m.
In its latest update, DriveBC says the estimated time of reopening of Hwy. 3 will. be 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Geotechnical assessments of the situation were conducted earlier today leading to the decision to reopen the highway. The next scheduled update will take place at 5 p.m. today.
The Evacuation Orders are still in effect according to the last RDOS update of 10 a.m. today.
A total of 114 FortisBC customers are still without power with the company estimating resumption of service by 6 p.m. today.
The RDOS advises that Telus services are currently experiencing a disruption impacting landline phones in Keremeos, Electoral Area “G” due to the rockslide, which may affect the ability to reach emergency (911) services. Impacted services include 911 landline, internet, home phone, and Optik/PIK TV. TELUS mobility services are not affected.
Due to safety concerns, service technicians are standing down, and will continue to work with local authorities to ensure safe access to the site as quickly as possible, the RDOS update noted. There is currently no estimated time of restoration.
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The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) declared a state of local emergency on Monday (Nov. 6) for seven days following a rock slide between Hedley-Nickleplate Rd and Ashnola Rd closed a 5.5 km stretch of Hwy. 3 west of Keremeos Sunday night.
An evacuation order was issued Sunday night for two properties in Electoral Area “G” (rural Keremeos).
The two properties – 3455 Highway 3 and 3491 Highway 3 located west of the Village of Keremeos – have been issued an evacuation order out of concern for the safety of the residents.
RDOS map showing area under evacuation order.
One of the properties is the River Valley RV Park with approximately 30 residents. RDOS said members of the RCMP and other agencies under the direction of RCMP expedited this action.
The RDOS has set up an emergency operations centre at the baptist church in Princeton, about 50 km northwest, for those affected by the order.
The latest update from DriveBC on Monday at 1 p.m. indicated no estimated time of reopening was available. Drivers are being detoured via Highway 97 to Highway 97C to Highway 5A.
Debris on Hwy. 3 closed the road from Sunday (Nov. 6). Facebook image.
A decision on opening the highway will depend on a geotechnical assessment which was hampered on Monday because low clouds interfered with visibility of the slope.
A power outage impacted nearly 1,500 FortisBC customers when the slide occurred at about 7:40 p.m. on Sunday. As of Monday evening 114 customers were still without power.
FortisBC outage map show area impacted with red areas still without power.
The next update from DriveBC will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
