Kimberley continues to battle spring run-off flooding

A section of Wallinger Avenue battles the rising waters in an effort to keep their homes dry.

Photo Loree Duczek

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City Of Kimberley officials have issued an evacuation alert for Morrison Subdivision and a portion of Wallinger Avenue as flood waters in Kimberley Creek rose almost two feet overnight in the midst of heavy rainfall.

Morrison Subdivision and the section of Wallinger Avenue with houses numbered 2 to 98 remain on an evacuation alert. To date, 11 homes have been evacuated and 29 people are in temporary lodging.

Water levels dropped slightly overnight and water diversion efforts were successful in moving most of the waters off of Wallinger Avenue and into the storm water system in Kimberley.

A Ministry of Forests Unit Crew from Revelstoke arrived late last night and spent the morning re-wrapping lock blocks in protective plastic and repositioning sandbags to prepare in case flood waters should rise. They are now moving to Morrison Subdivision to assist with sandbagging around homes where waters have receded enough to allow sandbags to be placed.

Approximately 40 people attended an information meeting at the Kimberley Curling Club this morning where City officials provided an update on the current situation and listened to questions and concerns.

“It was important to us to meet with the community. We are very appreciative for the feedback that was provided and have already acted on some of their suggestions, including reducing non-resident traffic into Morrison Subdivision and on Wallinger Avenue,” says Kimberley Mayor Ron McRae.

The City is also reminding all residents to use extreme caution in and around the creeks in the community. “Our priority is making sure people are safe and we cannot stress enough the importance of staying away from the creeks during high water,” adds McRae.

A reception centre has been set up at the Kimberley Curling Club and the City is asking anyone choosing to leave their homes in this area is being asked to check in at the reception centre.