Eight homes evacuated and state of emergency declared in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – A state of local emergency has been called as eight homes have been ordered to evacuate because of a shifting hillside north of Rayleigh.

Homes on Ramage Road were issued evacuation orders.

Evacuated residents can take refuge at the McArthur Island Sports Centre, according to a release from the City of Kamloops. The emergency operations area is open until 10 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, April 28.

Tammy Robertson, Emergency Operations Centre Information Officer estimates that 22 people have registered at the emergency reception centre.

While this is not a landslide, Robertson says there has been slow movement on the hill caused by excess groundwater and heavy rainfall since the slide on April 10.

“At this point, everyone’s just monitoring the situation and hoping to see natural drying of the hillside,” Robertson says.

Anyone in need of more information should contact the City of Kamloops at 250-828-3311.

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