Pump trucks now sit parked after removing most of the water from the trailer park. (Photo Credit: KamloopsBCNow.com)
Update 2:30 p.m.: Some residents can now go back to their homes, but others are still under Evacuation Order. Click here for more details.
Original Story:
The City of Kamloops Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is looking at their next steps following the flash flooding and subsequent evacuation in the Westsyde area Tuesday night.
A State of Local Emergency was already declared, and now BC Safety Authority, Fortis BC, BC Hydro, and the City’s Building Inspection Division are on site at the Oak Hills area for a visual inspection. Fortis believes that inspection could take until Friday, July 3rd to finish, and gas will stay off until the inspections are done.
After Fortis has authorized gas to return to service, residents will have to contact a gas contractor to reignite gas appliances. The City says that Fortis will be leaving a notice about this action on the properties where inspections are completed.
The trailer park is starting to dry out in the Kamloops sunshine. (Photo Credit: KamloopsBCNow.com)
As for BC Hydro, the electrical company will return power to homes that didn’t suffer electric damage as they work through their inspections.
The Emergency Social Services Reception Centre is open Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kamloops Yacht Club at 1140 River Street. Any evacuees who haven’t yet registered with the Centre should do so at this site. Evacuees can also call the EOC’s public information line at 250-828-3895 or monitor local media for more information.
Danielle Minifie is a resident at the trailer park, and she described sitting with her husband in traffic, trying to figure what was going on. They thought that maybe there had been a car accident, and she started checking Facebook for updates. That was when she realized that the area by her home had been flooded.
The clear blue sky on Wednesday is a stark contrast to Tuesday night's hail-filled storm. (Photo Credit: KamloopsBCNow.com)
She said the trailer park was covered in pump trucks, though as of Wednesday morning the pumping has stopped. Residents weren’t allowed down into the area, which was covered in mud and water. It seems that parts of the trailer park were not affected by the flood, however, as Minifie lives in the front end and says her home is completely fine.
The City of Kamloops says that Westsyde residents can drop off natural debris such as mud, rocks, and branches for free at the Mission Flats Landfill until July 13th. To receive this service at no charge, you will have to give ID with proof of your address.
Generous Kamloops residents have been asking how they can help, but Tammy Robertson with the EOC says that currently they’re still evaluating the damage. As of yet, there’s nothing in place for residents to volunteer or donate, but they can check with the Emergency Operations Centre or follow updates for opportunities to help.
