North Okanagan Hospice House evacuates residents due to flood risk

VERNON – Residents receiving end-of-life care at a facility in Vernon are being relocated due to the risk of flooding.

The North Okanagan Hospice Society, which is situated next to BX Creek, was advised today, May 9, by the Interior Health Authority and the City of Vernon to evacuate and transfer residents to Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

In a release, the society says the evacuation was prompted by today’s rainfall and recent warm weather causing snowmelt.

Residents will remain at the hospital until Hospice House is deemed safe for their return, the society says.

There will be no admissions to Hospice House until further notice.

“We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Emergency Preparedness professionals from Interior Health Authority and the City of Vernon for their quick response as well as to our own staff and volunteers for ensuring that all precautions have been taken. We are also grateful to the community for their kind thoughts and their offers of support,” executive director Ruth Edwards says in the release. “North Okanagan Hospice Society values the care and comfort of our residents and their families and will make every effort to ensure their safety.”

Flooding is being felt in many parts of the Okanagan as rain and snowmelt force creeks to spill their banks.

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