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Flooding continues in Summerland

Power shut off to Summerland Yacht Club and homes in Trout Creek area
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JOHN ARENDT HIGH WATER The water level at Peach Orchard Beach has risen and as a result, the walking path and lakefront area are closed to the public. The lake is now at 343.17 metres and the water level is predicted to rise to 343.25 metres.

As the water level continues to rise, electrical power has been shut off at the Summerland Yacht Club.

The rising water levels have caused safety issues within the electrical junction boxes which supply power to a building at the southeast corner of the property and docks.

On May 31, the municipality declared a State of Local Emergency at the property.

A day earlier, a State of Local Emergency was declared in the Trout Creek area, and electrical power was disconnected at nine homes in the area.

No evacuation order was issued.

Then, on Thursday afternoon, power was disconnected at two homes on Nixon Road in Trout Creek.

If the lake level continues to rise, power may be disconnected to homes on Landry Crescent and Randall Street.

The lake level is expected to keep rising. Predictions from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations call for a high level of 343.25 metres by June 10.

In addition, an addition 0.6 metres should be factored in for wave action.

“There has been no change in the forecast, but the rate of rise hasn’t slowed down,” said Linda Tynan, chief administrative officer for the municipality.

As of Thursday afternoon, the lake level had risen by three centimetres to 343.17 metres.

The rising water level has already covered numerous docks in the community, including the public docs at Rotary Beach.

While the Rotary Walking Pier is still above water, the pier has been closed to the public because of the rising water level.

“We have some major issues with the pier,” Tynan said.

Elsewhere, in Powell Beach, the parking lot has been compromised by the flood water and standing water in the area is causing a stench.

Municipal crews will pump out the standing water, Tynan said.

Lakefront residents have been setting up sandbags to protect their homes and properties from the rising water.

Piles of sand for sandbags are available at numerous spots along Okanagan Lake, and filled sandbags are available at the Summerland Arena.

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John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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