UPDATE: 2:20 p.m., May 5
City of Salmon Arm staff are watching three areas where flooding is impacting private properties and roadways.
Municipal public works staff are currently stationed in Gleneden, on Foothill Road and Okanagan Ave. E, where overflowing creeks have led to flooding.
Rob Hein, roads and parks manager with public works, said an overflowing Hobson Creek has led to flooding to Foothill Road and neighbouring properties in the 1,600 block.
“There’s three or four properties there on the high side that have issues where the creek is coming through their property,” said Hein, adding Foothill Road remains closed as staff can’t guarantee it’s integrity.
The Gayle Creek/Syphon Falls system is also causing problems for properties in Gleneden. Meanwhile, water from East Canoe Creek has flooded onto Okanagan Ave. E., effectivly cutting off properties to the east.
“It’s cut off right now because the flows are so high that it’s coming across the road,” said Hein. “We’ve got it bermed up to try and save the road and try and keep the damage limited to a certain area. But basically people are trapped on the far side of it right now.”
Hein said staff is doing what it can to maintain the problem areas, waiting for the flows to drop off, but adds the rain isn’t helping.
Other flooding issues have been reported elsewhere in the Shuswap. A portion of backroad between Turtle Valley and Salmon Arm is closed to due to flooding.
Drive BC reports flooding on Highway 1 approximately three kilomtres east of Canoe. Traffic has been reduced to single lane, alternating.
Highway maintenence crews are also working on a plugged culvert on London Lane Road in Notch Hill.
A portion of Foothills Road is closed due to flooding following Thursday night’s severe weather throughout the Shuswap.
The flooding is in the 1600 block of Foothill Road. Traffic is being rerouted as city staff deal with the matter.
Earlier Friday morning, May 5, highway maintenance crews had to deal with flooding on the Trans-Canada Highway near Pierre’s Point, where water had pooled in the westbound lane. The road has since been cleared.
Flooding is also being reported on Okanagan Avenue E in South Canoe. A creek near the road has reported washed over its banks and onto the road.
Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau said the region received between 10 and 17 mm of rain over Thursday night, with Salmon Arm receiving 15mm.
A thunderstorm effect remains in effect for Salmon Arm Friday, with more rainfall expected later today and tonight.
An update will be provided as information becomes available.