The Town of Osoyoos has rescinded the declaration of state of local emergency that was issued early in May when floodwaters were rising.
The announcement came Friday afternoon and it followed the lifting of the last evacuation orders earlier in the day.
“The threat of flooding in the Town of Osoyoos no longer requires prompt coordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the health, safety or welfare of people or to limit damage to property,” said a bulletin signed by Barry Romanko, chief administrative officer.
Earlier Friday, the town also announced that Desert Sunrise Marina and Boat Launch would reopen at 8 a.m. this Sunday, June 3.
“Please ensure that extra precaution is taken as the lake levels are still higher than normal,” said the town’s announcement. “Wake action should be minimized to prevent shoreline erosion.”
The final evacuation orders that were lifted affect two properties, the Coast Osoyoos Beach Hotel on Main Street and one on Solana Key.
As of 3:15 p.m. Friday, the level of Osoyoos Lake was down to 913.24 feet above sea level – the lowest it’s been since May 5.
The town also announced that residents wishing to remove sandbags may do so, taking them to the landfill with no tipping fee charge or dropping them off at the lot across Highway 3 from the Dairy Queen on the east side of Osoyoos.
Because the sand used in sandbags may contain harmful foreign material, sand should not be disposed of in or around the water.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
