By Vanessa Broadbent
Oliver Chronicle
The residents along Road 5 were given plenty of sand and sandbags to divert the overflowing creek in their neighbourhood, but they don’t have enough manpower.
The Buttar family of Jaswinder Singh Buttar’s vineyard, along with a few others in the neighbourhood, have spent the last few days bagging sand and diverting the water. But they’re still worried that it won’t be enough to keep their orchards and vineyards, along with their homes, safe.
Angel Amando lives in a rental home in the area. He said that 150 sandbags have already been used to divert the water.
“The first day it was very small creek … then it kept accumulating and we needed to do more.”
Amando said that despite their efforts, the situation is “getting worse.”
So far, Amando said that the vineyard is damaged and he predicts that it won’t be long until Road 5, along with adjacent Sumac and Sunflower Streets, are as well.
“All the roots of the grapes are uncovered and the water keeps digging more and more. Pretty soon I think it’s going to get into the road. When it starts digging in the road it will break the pavement.”
Water is already flowing down the road and more sandbagging needs to be done. Amando doesn’t think he and his landlords, along with the other property owners in the area, will be able to finish it in time on their own.
“We need volunteers. We’re asking for help and anybody wanting to help can show up.”
Amando said that anyone interested in helping can go to 3304 Highway 97, (the pink house on the corner of Road 5).
(Angel Amando photo)
(Angel Amando photo)
(Angel Amando photo)
