Skip to content

Flood watch issued for Okanagan waterways

The upcoming weather pattern is similar what caused state of emergency flooding in Kelowna in 2022
32790571_web1_220602-KCN-Old-Costco-flood-K_2
Flooding at business complex off Highway 97 in 2022. (Facebook)

A flood watch has been issued for the Southern Interior and Okanagan, by the Ministry of Forests.

After rainfall over the weekend, the River Forecast Centre issued a flood watch for the Shuswap River, the Bonaparte River, Cache Creek, Deadman River, the North Thompson River including the area around Barriere, Clearwater, Blue River, South Thompson River and including areas around Chase, Tk’emlúps te, the Secwépemc, Splatsin, Salmon Arm, Salmon River, Sicamous, Enderby, and the Okanagan including Mission Creek and tributaries around Syilx Territory, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton.

Additionally, a high stream flow advisory has been implemented for the Similkameen, Nicola and Thompson River basins.

The advisory encompasses the area around the Similkameen, including the Ashnola River, Tulameen River, Lower Similkameen, Nicola River and tributaries including Guichon Creek, Spius Creek, Coldwater River the Upper Nicola and Lower Nicola, and the Thompson River downstream of Kamloops.

The precipitation is expected to continue with 15-25 mm of rain forecast in the Southern Interior on Monday May 22, before becoming heavier on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Forests said that the weather pattern is similar to the thunderstorms that caused flooding on Kelowna’s Mission Creek in June 2022.

READ MORE: FLOOD WATCH: Mission Creek levels drop

For more information and a map of the impacted areas, visit the Flood Warnings and Advisories page at bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca.

Emergency numbers to keep close

• To report an emergency, including threat of life, call 911.

• To report a flooding concern or potential problem (non-emergency) contact your local public works department.

• City of Kelowna: 250-469-8600

• City of West Kelowna: 778-797-1000

• District of Lake Country: 250-766-5650

• District of Peachland: 250-767-2108

• Westbank First Nations: 250-707-0493

• Regional District of Central Okanagan Electoral Areas East and West: 250-763-4918.


@Rangers_mom
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.



Jacqueline Gelineau

About the Author: Jacqueline Gelineau

I'm a reporter in the beginning stages of my career. I joined the team at Capital News in November 2021...
Read more