A landslide in the Shuswap caused significant damage to hundreds of people on Thursday.
According to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, a landslide in the Bass Creek area of Seymour Arm damaged a water system in the 1200 block of Forest Service Road. No one was injured during the incident, though debris flow wiped out a water division structure in Bass Creek.
That structure supplied water to 205 connections on the system, which means approximately 500 people in Seymour Arm were impacted by the incident. Investigators are pointing to recent rainfall as a big contributor to the slide.
"The recent rainfall contributed to the slide, which saw water and debris damaging an existing channel and carving out a new path," wrote the CSRD. "It also resulted in damage to the 1200 Forest Service Road, which is used and maintained by Canoe Forest Products."
At this point, the public is asked to stay away from the area as there is still water flow, and the ground may be unstable. Crews are assessing the area before they can begin working on reestablishing the water system.
Interior Health is also working with the owners of private water systems to ensure they get a safe supply of water. Canoe Forest Products is doing what they can to fix the road.
"With continued high water levels in the Shuswap and more rain predicted, it is important to be safe near all types of running water or flooded areas. Stay well back from creek banks and use common sense around high water. Children and pets need to be closely monitored around these areas, so keep them within arm's reach at all times."
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