The water level in Okanagan Lake is continuing to rise, and as of Monday, the level was just 10 centimetres from the predicted high of 343.15 metres.
The District of Summerland is urging residents to reinforce their properties against flooding and to allow for wave action when determining where to place sandbags.
To protect homes against the rising water, lakefront property owners may need to move sandbags if the sandbags were placed too low on the property or placed to protect the beachfront rather than the home.
Municipal staff will revisit properties identified as being most susceptible to flooding.
New stakes indicating a 343.15 metre and a 343.75 metre level will be placed.
While the lake is expected to reach a high level of 343.15 metres, the additional 0.6 metre mark is included to factor in the height of wave action in affected areas.
Sandbags are available at the Summerland Arena and crews have been using a machine to fill sandbags. The crews are able to fill 1,500 bags each hour.
Sand is also available at numerous locations along the lakeshore.
Those who are not able to pick up sandbags are asked to call 250-488-3765 to have bags delivered to their property. Properties will be visited by municipal staff and a priority list will be set up for delivery.
Information on sandbagging is available through the municipal website at http://summerland.ca/docs/default-source/administration/nwd_sandbag_pamphlet.pdf?sfvrsn=2.
Those who experience losses as a result of flooding may be eligible for assistance through the province’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program. Information about the program is available online at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/disaster-financial-assistance
