Armed forces arrive in the South Okanagan, Similkameen to aid flood control effort

PENTICTON – The army has rolled into the South Okanagan.

Soldiers from the Canadian Armed Forces armoured regiment Lord Stratcona’s Horse based out of Edmonton have been deployed to the area today, May 18, to support Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s flood operations, according to a media release. The soldiers are staging out of Vernon.

Some 45 members from the same regiment have begun assisting B.C. Wildfire Service crews and West Kelowna crews in Green Bay on Okanagan Lake.

The extra manpower will be a welcome addition to the region, which has experienced a number of localized flooding issues over the past several weeks.

The regional district issued evacuation alerts for another 23 properties in the Town of Osoyoos yesterday afternoon including homes on Cottonwood Drive, Crab Apple Court, Lakeshore and Spartan Drive.

As well, an evacuation order was issued for nine properties in Olalla as flooding of Keremeos Creek began forming its annual lake around the northeast edge of the community.

Another breach in Keremeos Creek yesterday morning resulted in an evacuation alert being issued for at around 60 properties in Area “G” north and east of the Village of Keremeos.

Residents are being urged to stay off flood infrastructure that may be in place throughout the region.

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