Flood evacuations scaled back in southern B.C., but flooding risk still high
PENTICTON, B.C. — An evacuation order covering 148 properties in the southern British Columbia community of Tulameen has been downgraded, but a state of local emergency remains in place as flood risks remain high in many parts of the province.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen downgraded the evacuation order late Tuesday for all but 15 homes closest to the southern end of Otter Lake.
A news release from the regional district says it was able to scale back the evacuation after a removable, rock-filled dike and other water barriers were set up, but an evacuation alert still covers most Tulameen homes.
The regional district also amended its declaration of local emergency on Wednesday to cover all the area around Tulameen, Cawston, Green Lake and Green Mountain, giving it more leeway to administer any other evacuation orders and alerts.