The past week has shown what the residents and businesses of Osoyoos can accomplish when they pull together.
As the level of Osoyoos Lake rose quickly through last week, many volunteers turned out at the boat trailer parking lot on the east side to fill sandbags.
Businesses brought food and refreshments for the volunteers, or sent their own employees to give a hand.
Others trucked sandbags to homes in need and neighbours helped neighbours to protect their properties, or even provide temporary accommodation to those forced to evacuate.
There are too many people who deserve thanks to mention names in this little space.
“It brings neighbours together, which is great,” one area resident, Marilyn Schroeder, told us as she tried to keep her spirits up while water flooded her home. “We’re all trying to help each other and keep on top of things. What else can you do? There are blessings sometimes in a calamity too.”
The lake level has backed off a few inches from its high on Saturday of 916.45 feet above sea level, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
Warm temperatures this week are causing the Similkameen River to rise again. And that is likely to bring the level of Osoyoos Lake back up by an amount that is still unknown.
Let’s hope for the best, and be thankful that we live in a community where so many are happy to pitch in and help out.
