Keeping track of two million Central Okanagan sandbags

KELOWNA – A new smartphone app has just been released that will use crowd-sourcing to track the more than two million sandbags currently at work in the Central Okanagan.

The Regional District Emergency Operations Centre announced the new tool today, June 21, saying the data will be used for “planning and assessment of the demobilization of flood protection measures.”

Once plans are developed, information on the removal of sandbags from public and private property, including debris management, will be posted at the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website. 

Sandbags have already been removed from some inland properties, but a media release from Emergency Operations says sandbags and other flood protection measures will stay where they are for “some time.”

The coordinated approach for the collection and disposal of sandbags will ensure the safest and most efficient way, minimizing ecological impact to property, creeks, streams, area lakes, wildlife habitat and ensuring the health of citizens, officials say.

Residents wanting to drop of their own sandbags can take them to the Cook Road boat launch outside the Hotel Eldorado, the Apple Bowl parking lot or the Beasley Park parking lot in Lake Country.

Download the sandbag tracking app at the Central Okanagan Regional District website.

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