State of emergency declared for Willowbrook

By Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle

In the midst of a local state of emergency, the community of Willowbrook is banding together to fight Mother Nature at her own game.

The regional district declared the emergency this morning due to the threat of flooding and possible damage to properties along Kearns Creek.

Last night about 50 volunteers, including firefighters, worked together to fill and deploy sandbags near roadways and in front of homes. This effort was greatly assisted through mutual aid agreements by sending personnel from nearby Keremeos and Oliver fire services.

Residents along Kearns Creek were advised yesterday that the flow would begin to rise slowly overnight and persist over the next couple of days. This was due to a “draw down” order from the province on the Kearns Creek dam near Willowbrook. Up to a six-inch rise was predicted.

The regional district previously delivered 2000 sandbags and several loads of sand, but added an additional 24 yards of sand and 4000 more bags.

Many sandbags can be seen lining residential properties along Johnson and Carr Crescent.

While the Oliver Chronicle was taking photographs on Johnson Crescent this morning, one resident asked if the photographer was from the regional district.

“I need some help,” he said, before walking back to his home where water flooded his property.

Paul Edmonds, the regional district’s emergency management coordinator, said when safe access or egress to residents is threatened, a state of emergency can be imposed to provide additional resources in the event an evacuation is required.

“Provincial agencies are on the ground assessing culverts and local dam infrastructure and working with the RDOS on this localized emergency response event.”

He acknowledged the community spirit shown in Willowbrook and the quick response by residents and fire personnel.

Spring freshet hasn’t even begun in earnest, yet several other areas of the region continue to report flooding.

Last week’s severe rainstorm started the flood ball rolling with landslides and washouts.

Two Naramata residents left their homes due to flooding and were provided with emergency social services support.

In Heritage Hills in Okanagan Falls, a section of road was closed due to a washout on March 22.

In Oliver, a mudslide carrying rocks and trees tore through a section (third hole) of Fairview Mountain Golf Course, which had to close its gates until further notice.

In Willowbrook, Area C alternate director Rick Knodel reported that water in the north culvert at Johnson Crescent went over the road Sunday night and a nearby resident used a pump to get the level down.

Knodel said Kearns Creek is over its banks at the Willowbrook riding arena, along with various spots heading to Goldtau Road.

He also noted that the fields on Road 6 and 9 south of Oliver are starting to flood as well.

“The creek running down Road 6 from Highway 97 is getting energetic, to say the least.”

In correspondence with Area C director Terry Schafer, Willowbrook resident Jim Stanley said there is a strong odour of septic sewage from the area where water from Johnson culvert has crested the banks and road.

“This is a health concern for all of the residents. Water is unable to flow through due to the improper culvert size and no maintenance.”

The regional district is advising residents to check their local culverts and report any blocked ones to Argo Road Maintenance at 1-800-663-7623.

Schafer attended the flooding situation on the weekend to chat with a number of affected residents.

“Culverts are, for the most part, doing the best they can, running at full capacity.”

He said a representative from the Ministry of Transportation was there as well and directed Argo Road Maintenance staff to monitor local culverts 24 hours a day.

Schafer said he had a tour to look at where the water was originating from and was shown the pond (now a small lake) in Willowbrook Park.

“A suggestion made to me was to place some large concrete blocks at the mouth of the outflow of the pond, and I am actively researching that good idea.”

Schafer said that will slow or regulate the flow at one end of the community, but they need to get the water to exit Willowbrook, which is more problematic.

The director said a larger culvert at Goldtau Road is in the works, but Myers Flats south of there has overgrown so much that the creek is virtually nonexistent now.

“To get permission to ditch through provincial parkland isn’t going to be easy, but hoping for a solution that might be lasting.”

Schafer said he has been in touch with the regional district regarding the urgency to slow the flow of water.

“I’m willing to personally order and fund a delivery of loc blocks while staff works on permission. I’m of the opinion that we need to act now and seek forgiveness later.”

The regional district is providing residents support with sand and sand bags at locations where damage or flooding has occurred.

“We haven’t even hit freshet yet, so this is the time to get prepared,” said Zoe Kirk, public works projects coordinator.

In rural Oliver, sand and bags have been delivered to the Willowbrook Fire Hall at 3395 Willowbrook Road. A pile of them is also available at Johnson and Carr Crescent.

In Oliver, sand and bags are available at the Oliver Fire Hall at 369 Similkameen Avenue.

People requiring further assistance can call the Emergency Operations Centre at 250-490-4225.

For after-hours emergencies, call the Provincial Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456.

For more information, go to www.rdos.bc.ca.