Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 4th, 7:00 p.m. PT

RDKB Issues Evacuation Alert for properties from Carmi to Christina Lake within the floodplain - properties within the City of Grand Forks and the City of Greenwood are not affected

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Electoral Areas C, D and E, effective as of May 4, 2023 at 7 p.m. due to rising water levels. The addresses in the Evacuation Alert Area are outside Grand Forks and Greenwood city limits.

The Alert area includes 591 addresses and a population of 1,182.

A full list of addresses as well as a map of the evacuation alert area in the RDKB are available at emergency.rdkb.com. This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare residents to evacuate their premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, they may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

“The Regional Emergency Operations Centre is issuing these alerts as rivers continue to rise,” says Mark Stephens, RDKB’s emergency manager and EOC Director. “We ask residents to stay up to date by checking official sources for information and to sign up for our evacuation alert system.”

The public is advised to exercise caution and stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks and potentially unstable riverbanks. They are also requested to report any woody debris and log jams that have been mobilised during the high-streamflow period to FrontCounter BC.

What You Should Do:

• Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be issued while separated.
• Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g., insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents or pets, and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
• Make arrangements to stay with family or friends (if possible).
• Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.
• Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).
• Arrange transportation for all your household.
• Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
• Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.
• Monitor for information on a potential Evacuation Order and location of Reception Centres.

 

The public is advised to exercise caution and stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks and potentially unstable riverbanks. They are also requested to report any woody debris and log jams that have been mobilised during the high-streamflow period to FrontCounter BC.

Regularly monitor the emergency.rdkb.com website as well as the @RDKB_Emergency twitter feed for the latest emergency news, weather forecasts and alerts. Use it to find out the ways you can protect your home, how to make an emergency plan and build your grab & go bags so that you can leave at short notice if you must.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.
 
 More information:      
Mark Stephens, EOC Director
250.368.7037 (cell)
em@rdkb.com

Anitra Winje, EOC Information Officer
250.231.4748 (cell)
corporate@rdkb.com 

 

Trail, BC
May 4th, 5:00 p.m. PT

RDKB Expands Evacuation Order for Manly Meadows

An Evacuation Order has been expanded by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to include an additional two (2) properties in Manly Meadows in rural Grand Forks/Electoral Area D, effective as of May 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. because of rising river levels. EOC officials will be delivering Evacuation Orders to residents at the affected properties.

The evacuation order now applies to approximately 10 addressed properties. The full list of addresses as well as a map of the evacuation order and alert areas are available at https://emergency.rdkb.com.

“Based on close monitoring of water levels, we’ve determined that it was necessary to increase the Evacuation Order area,” says Mark Stephens, RDKB’s emergency manager and EOC Director.

Emergency Support Services will be provided to those affected through our partners at the Canadian Red Cross.

The public is advised to exercise caution and stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks and potentially unstable riverbanks. They are also requested to report any woody debris and log jams that have been mobilised during the high-streamflow period to FrontCounter BC.

The RDKB urges residents to sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration. Please note that you will only receive a notification if you are in an alert or order area.

For more information:

• 24-hour Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre: 1.800.663.3456
• The RDKB emergency website: emergency.rdkb.com
• RDKB Emergency Operations Centre: 1.888.747.9119 (between 8am and 4pm)
• Social media: Twitter @RDKB_Emergency or Facebook @rdkbdotcom
• Local media

The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.
 
 More information:      
Mark Stephens, EOC Director
250.368.7037 (cell)
em@rdkb.com

Anitra Winje, EOC Information Officer
250.231.4748 (cell)
corporate@rdkb.com 

 

---

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 3rd, 5:00 p.m. PT

RDKB Issues State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area D and Evacuation Order for South Johnson Flats Grand Forks Issues Evacuation Alert for 12th Street in Johnson Flats

A State of Local Emergency and an Evacuation Order have been issued by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for South Johnson Flats in rural Grand Forks/Electoral Area D, effective as of May 3, 2023 at 5 p.m. because of anticipated rising river levels overnight. The City of Grand Forks has requested an Evacuation Alert for 12th Street in Johnson Flats.

An evacuation order is now in effect for approximately 10 addressed properties. The evacuation alert applies to 34 addresses.

The full list of addresses as well as a map of the evacuation order and alert areas are available at https://emergency.rdkb.com. Evacuation orders will be delivered to each household by emergency personnel.

“We have issued this Evacuation Order as current modeling shows river levels will reach our flood response plan trigger point overnight and we wish to give residents time to evacuate during daylight hours,” says Mark Stephens, RDKB’s emergency manager and EOC Director.

Emergency Support Services will be provided to those affected through our partners at the Canadian Red Cross.

The public is advised to exercise caution and stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks and potentially unstable riverbanks. They are also requested to report any woody debris and log jams that have been mobilised during the high-streamflow period to FrontCounter BC.

The RDKB urges residents to sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

For more information:

• 24-hour Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre: 1.800.663.3456
• The RDKB emergency website: https://emergency.rdkb.com
• RDKB Emergency Operations Centre: 1.888.747.9119 (between 8am and 4pm)
• Social media: Twitter @RDKB_Emergency or Facebook @rdkbdotcom
• Local media

 

The RDKB will continue to update the public as new information is available.

More information:

• Mark Stephens, EOC Director | 250.368.7037 (cell)| em@rdkb.com
• Anitra Winje, EOC Information Officer | 250.231.4748 (cell) | corporate@rdkb.com
• Kevin McKinnon, Communications Officer, City of Grand Forks | 250.442.6111 | kmckinnon@grandforks.ca

 

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 3, 2023
10:15 a.m. PT

Sand Bag Station in Rock Creek

A sand bag station is being set up in Rock Creek at Cenotaph Road and Highway 3 (Ministry of Transportation pullout). Sand and bags will be available this afternoon, May 3^rd.

Sand bag stations are also available at:

Beaverdell/Carmi:       Beaverdell Fire Hall

Grand Forks & Area D: (see maps for location of sand & bags and mitigation works)

• 18th St at Kettle River Drive (beside cemetery north of Dog Park)
• Grand Forks Arena (west side of building)
• Morrissey Creek Rd at ATV Staging Area
• Grand Forks Airport
• Barbara Ann Park off Riverside Drive

Christina Lake: Fire Hall
Rock Creek:      Riverside Centre
Westbridge:      Westbridge Community Hall
Greenwood:      Public Works Yard
Midway:            Public Works Yard

Please stay clear of fast-flowing watercourses and potentially unstable river and creek banks.

Check back here for updates and information on emergency preparedness.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration  

News Release

Trail, BC
May 3, 2023
11:12 a.m.

With the possibility of imminent flooding, the RDKB is advising residents in the Boundary to prepare emergency or “grab and go” kits should they need to evacuate their homes. 

What You Should Do:
•    Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be issued while separated.
•    Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g., insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents or pets, and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
•    Make arrangements to stay with family or friends (if possible).
•    Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.
•    Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).
•    Arrange transportation for all your household. 
•    Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
•    Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.
•    Monitor for information on a potential Evacuation Order and location of Reception Centres.

For more info on flood preparedness and how to put together a grab and go kit, click here

Regularly monitor this website as well as the @RDKB_Emergency twitter feed for the latest emergency news, weather forecasts and alerts.    

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration  

More information:    
Anitra Winje, EOC Information Officer
250-231-4748 (cell)
corporate@rdkb.com

---

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 2nd, 2023
2:10 p.m.

Boundary on Flood Watch

A flood watch is in effect for the Boundary region, according to the BC River Forecast Centre.

A flood watch means that watercourse levels are rising and may breach banks. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers and creeks may occur.

Should you need sand and/or bags, please pick them up at the locations listed below (please note you will need to fill the bags with sand):

Beaverdell/Carmi:          Fire Hall (available May 3)

Christina Lake:                 Fire Hall

Grand Forks & Area D: (see attached maps for location of sand & bags and flood control works)

• 18th St at Kettle River Drive (beside cemetery north of Dog Park)
• Grand Forks Arena (west side of building)
• Morrissey Creek Rd at ATV Staging Area
• Grand Forks Airport
• Barbara Ann Park off Riverside Drive

Rock Creek:        Riverside Centre
Westbridge:       Westbridge Community Hall
Greenwood:      Public Works Yard
Midway:              Public Works Yard

The RDKB urges residents to remain cautious and to stay clear of fast-flowing watercourses and potentially unstable river and creek banks.

The RDKB continues to monitor the situation. For updates and emergency preparedness information, check back here.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration 

 

 

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 2, 2023
4:15 p.m.

RDKB Standing up Regional Emergency Operations Centre as Waters Rise

Due to this week’s weather forecast, the RDKB is activating its Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to a level 3 to assist and collaborate with our member municipalities—Grand Forks, Greenwood and Midway as the region prepares for flooding.

The RDKB urges residents to be aware of rising waters and unstable river and creek beds.

Sand and bags are available at locations throughout the Boundary.

For the location of sand and bags, as well as information on emergency preparedness, please visit https://emergency.rdkb.com/

The RDKB continues to monitor the situation and will update information as it becomes available.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

Anitra Winje
Information Officer
250.231.4748

 

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 2, 2023
10:30 a.m.
For Immediate Release

Sand and Bags Available Starting THIS AFTERNOON

Boundary residents are asked to prepare for the possibility of flooding, advises the RDKB Emergency Operations Centre. With increasing temperatures and the possibility of heavy precipitation in the forecast later this week, waters are expected to rise. Current models show that levels could be similar to those in 2018. Conditions can change throughout the week. The RDKB continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.

Should you need sand and/or bags, please pick them up at the locations listed below starting this afternoon (please note you will need to fill the bags with sand):

Grand Forks & Area D: (see attached maps for location of sand & bags and flood control works)

• 18th St at Kettle River Drive (beside cemetery north of Dog Park)
• Grand Forks Arena (west side of building)
• Morrissey Creek Rd at ATV Staging Area
• Grand Forks Airport
• Barbara Ann Park off Riverside Drive

Christina Lake: Fire Hall
Rock Creek:        Riverside Centre
Westbridge:       Westbridge Community Hall
Greenwood:      Public Works Yard
Midway:              Public Works Yard

Please stay clear of fast-flowing watercourses and potentially unstable river and creek banks.

Check back here for updates and information on emergency preparedness.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration 

Anitra Winje
Information Officer
250.368.0225

---

Information Bulletin

Trail, BC
May 1st, 2023
2:30 p.m. PT

Boundary residents are asked to prepare for the possibility of flooding, advises the RDKB Emergency Operations Centre. With increasing temperatures and the possibility of heavy precipitation in the forecast later this week, waters are expected to rise. Current models show that levels could be similar to those in 2018. Conditions can change throughout the week; therefore, the RDKB continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.

Please stay clear of fast-flowing watercourses and potentially unstable river and creek banks.

Check back tomorrow for a list of sandbag locations throughout the Boundary region.

Check back here for updates and information on emergency preparedness.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign up for our Emergency Notification System at https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration 

Anitra Winje
Information Officer
250.231.4748

 

NEWS RELEASE

Trail, BC
April 28, 2023
4 p.m. PT

RDKB Urges Caution as Increasing Heat could bring Rising Waters

Rising temperatures could bring rising waters and the RDKB wants residents to exercise an abundance of caution in the coming days.

The RDKB’s Emergency Operations staff have met with their Provincial counterparts to discuss the forecast and what it could mean for local waterways.

“We are pre-staging Provincial flood protection assets for critical infrastructure in Grand Forks,” says Marks Stephens, the RDKB’s Manager of Emergency Programs and EOC Director. “We will reassess models and situations on Monday, May 1^st.”

The RDKB will continue to monitor the situation closely and encourages residents to keep up to date by checking back here for information on Freshet 2023.

---

 

NEWS RELEASE

Trail, BC
April 27, 2023
4 p.m. PT

AS CONDITIONS CHANGE, CHECK INTO THE RDKB’S FRESHET DASHBOARD FOR THE LATEST

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) is advising its residents to stay up-to-date with changing conditions and an element of uncertainty across the Kootenay and Boundary areas.

“Our emergency program is closely monitoring the snowpack and weather conditions and will continue to support municipalities affected by washouts in the east of our region until they no longer require our assistance,” says RDKB’s Emergency Manager and EOC Director Mark Stephens. “We’re encouraging the public to regularly monitor the emergency.rdkb.com website, where our Freshet reports are posted, and to access the latest news on our @RDKB_Emergency twitter feed,” he adds.

The RDKB has kept its Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 1 as it continues to support the villages of Fruitvale and Warfield.

“There is forecasted heat coming up this weekend and, with that, an anticipated increase in river levels throughout the Boundary over the next seven days. We are currently working with our partners at the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to monitor next week's weather,” says Mark.

The latest snowpack reports for the West Kootenay and Boundary areas are above normal. All rivers in the Boundary are not expected to rise beyond a 1-year return throughout the weekend.

If you have not already registered, sign up for emergency notifications https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

 

---

NEWS RELEASE

Trail, BC
April 12, 2023
1 p.m. PT

RDKB’S REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (EOC) REMAINS ACTIVATED AT LEVEL  1:  FRUITVALE & WARFIELD

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has kept its Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated to Level 1 as it continues to support the villages of Fruitvale and Warfield.

Both municipalities on the east side of the region have both experienced washouts due to flooding from excessive rain.

“The situation in both villages remains stable but the weather could change a lot in the next couple of days so we will continue to monitor conditions, river levels, and assist with repairs.  We ask the public to be vigilant, to stay away from the water’s edge for their own safety and to sign up for emergency notifications,” says RDKB’s Emergency Manager and EOC Director Mark Stephens.

Homes remain unaffected by the washouts and no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued.

For Fruitvale: Creekside Park and the footbridge remain closed until further notice.

For Warfield: Access onto Wellington Avenue off Highway 22 & 3B will be closed until further notice.  All vehicular traffic needing access to lower Annable must take an alternate route via Reservoir Road, along Haig Street and down French Street as the road from Ray Lyn Motel to Korpack is closed to vehicular traffic. (This closed area is shaded in yellow on the attached map).

The latest snowpack reports indicate that the West Kootenay region is at 90% of normal snowpack levels and in the Boundary area, 120% of normal snowpack levels.  All river models for the Boundary region are showing less than a 1-year return.

The advice from the team at the RDKB Regional Emergency Operation Centre is to regularly monitor the emergency.rdkb.com website, as well as the @RDKB_Emergency twitter feed, to keep up to date and access the latest emergency news, weather forecast, Freshet reports and alerts. The website is also a useful resource for proactive personal preparedness.

If you have not already registered, sign up for emergency notifications https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration

---

NEWS RELEASE

Trail, BC
April 11, 2023
1:30 p.m. PT

Alert:  The Regional Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to Level 1 to support the villages of Fruitvale and Warfield. 

 

RDKB ACTIVATES REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE (EOC) TO LEVEL 1:  FRUITVALE & WARFIELD

High water on the Trail & Beaver Creeks have led to washouts. No homes are affected and no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued.  Please stay away from the water’s edge!

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has activated its Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to Level 1 to support the village of Fruitvale and Warfield’s Public Works Departments.

Heavy rainfall over the weekend has led to washouts in the villages of Fruitvale and Warfield due to high waters on Trail and Beaver Creek.  High water is expected to remain for a couple of days before it recedes.  Creekside Park and the footbridge will be closed until further notice.

“Safety fencing has been erected around the affected areas in Fruitvale and Warfield but we ask the public to stay away from swollen river banks, especially with pets and children.  As the seasons and weather conditions change, the water’s edge is not a safe place to be,” says RDKB’s emergency manager and EOC Director Mark Stephens. “No homes are affected by the washouts and no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued but we will continue to monitor weather and stream flow daily throughout the region,” he adds.

The advice from the team at the RDKB Regional Emergency Operation Centre is to regularly monitor the emergency.rdkb.com website as well as the @RDKB_Emergency twitter feed for the latest emergency news, weather forecasts and alerts. Use it to find out the ways you can be proactive, get prepared for the changing weather conditions, protect your home, make an emergency plan and more.

If you have not already registered, sign up for emergency notifications https://voyent-alert.com/ca/community/#registration