Christy Clark pays surprise visit to Okanagan communities threatened by rising lake waters

OKANAGAN – People impacted by the rising water in Okanagan Lake got a low-key visit from the B.C. Premier this morning.

Christy Clark made a stop at the Red Wing Resort just north of Penticton this morning, June 6, to inspect the flood control measures in the community. She was accompanied by Penticton MLA Dan Ashton and several members of Penticton city council including Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

A portion of the shoreline of the gated community is underwater as both the with sandbag dams and inflatable bladders installed to prevent lake waters from flooding a number of residences in the community.

Jakubeit says he received notice about the Premier's visit last night. He says Clark had a look at water levels and the mitigation efforts at the resort during the 30 minute tour.

He the Premier had a chance to see the flooding first hand and talk to those affected.

"I thanked her for the help provided to Penticton, in particular the $104,000 to help repair the marina breakwall. I appreciated her stopping in," Jakubeit says.

Then the Premier headed north to West Kelowna, to have a look at the flood fortifcations at Green Bay, including a temporary dam — funded by the province — built on the canel in effort to control the rising water.

West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund and West Kelowna mayor Doug Findlater toured the community with Clark, according to a Facebook post.

— This story was updated at 2:26 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 to add comments from the mayor of Penticton.

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