Heavy rains have put 28 properties at risk of flooding in Dogwood Valley, just north of Hope. A statement of a local emergency and evacuation order has been issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District.
“Pursuant to the BC Emergency Program Act, an Evacuation Order has been issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) due to immediate danger to life safety and health because of the current debris flood caused by heavy rain,” the FVRD emergency statement reads. “You must leave the evacuation area immediately.”
The order was put out by the district at 5 p.m., Feb. 4, to evacuate the residents in properties along the 27000 Block of Dogwood Valley Road, Baker Road, Yurkin Road, Highway 1 and Nickelmine Road. RCMP officers are leading the action.
“It is further ordered that the Fraser Valley Regional District, its employees, servants, and agents are empowered pursuant to… the Emergency Program Act to do all acts and implement all procedures that are considered necessary to prevent or to alleviate the effects of the emergency.”
All the residents in the area have been notified of the emergency order, but it is unknown whether they have actually left the properties, according to Cpl. Mike Rail, media officer for the RCMP in the Upper Fraser Valley Regional District.
The flooding is the result of a creek which overflowed and breach its banks, according to a spokesperson for the FVRD. Experts are now in the area to assess the creek’s status and will provide updates if the situation changes.
Evacuated residents are being told to head to the Yale Community Centre at 65050 Albert Street.
The emergency statement is advising the following to people before leaving the properties:
- Shut off gas and electrical appliances. Leave your refrigerators and freezers on.
- Close gates and latch but do not lock.
- Gather your family; assist a neighbour or someone else who needs help
- Take critical items if they are immediately available (medicine, ID, cash/cards, keys).
- Take pets in kennels or on leashes. (Keep tropical pets in their cages and containers).
- Do not use more vehicles than you have to.
- Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service (text family and friends or post on your social media)
- Register with Emergency Support Services (ESS) to report that you have safely left the area.
If a resident cannot evacuate themselves and cannot find a neighbour to help, they are advised to call the emergency operations lines: 1-604-798-5369, or 1-877-799-6868.
The emergency order will remain in place until Feb. 11, unless cancelled by the district.