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UPDATE: Cariboo Regional District evacuates another Milburn Lake Road property due to flooding

The CRD is also advising ranchers and farmers to prepare for flooding
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This map from the Cariboo Regional District shows the second evacuation order for the Milburn Lake Road area, issued Saturday, April 25, as well as the existing evacuation order, which was issued Friday, April 24. (Cariboo Regional District map)

Update Saturday, April 25:

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued an evacuation order for one more property affected by flooding in the Milburn Lake Road area Saturday, April 25.

“Due to immediate danger to life safety due to flooding, affected residents have already been tactically evacuated,” the CRD states in a press release.

Original story, Friday, April 24:

Flooding caused the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to issue an evacuation order for one property in the Milburn Lake Road area Friday, April 24.

“Due to immediate danger to life safety due to flooding, affected residents have already been tactically evacuated,” according to a press release sent out Friday evening.

The evacuation order is in effect for 1979 Milburn Lake Rd. Flooding on Milburn Lake Road began the night of April 20.

At the same time, the CRD has put out an advisory for the region’s agricultural community to prepare for flooding.

“Due to ongoing flooding across the Cariboo Chilcotin region, the Cariboo Regional District is strongly advising ranchers and farmers to prepare for flooding and anticipate potential impacts to their property and livestock,” the CRD states in a news release issued Friday, April 24.

Recommendations include:

• Move all livestock to high ground before flooding impacts low-lying areas.

• Ensure sufficient feed will be accessible in safe locations for at least three days.

• Protect buildings from flooding. The CRD has sand and sandbags available for free at all regional volunteer fire halls and at the CRD storage facility at 1180 North MacKenzie Ave. in Williams Lake.

• Survey any water crossings on private property, such as bridges or culverts, to assess risk of crossings being damaged or washed away.

• Take precautions and determine alternate routes if water crossings are lost or become structurally unsafe.

• Plan to “shelter in place” for at least three days.

• Register for the CRD Emergency Notification System.

• Maintain physical distancing during all activities, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community.

For advice and guidance for sandbagging during a pandemic, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/emergency-response-and-recovery/flood-response.

CRD residents who are experiencing flooding issues are asked to contact the CRD’s public information line at 1-866-759-4977 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. After hours, call the Provincial Emergency Reporting Line at 1-800-663-3456.

Information about sandbagging can be found online at www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/flooding/sandbagging.pdf.

The CRD encourages all residents of the region to take the following precautions to reduce the risk associated with potential flooding:

• Prepare personal emergency supply kits for your home, car and work (plan for at least a three-day supply of food and water for each family member)

• Have a grab-and-go kit ready if you have to leave your home quickly

• Keep important papers in watertight containers and have a record of your valuables in a safe place

• Monitor local media for breaking news and flooding information

• Watch for flooding warning signs: increase in height and intensity of water flows, mudslides, debris in creeks, colour changes in water, or leaning trees

• Know that banks of rivers and streams may be unstable and dangerous

• Keep a safe distance away from fast flowing water, especially children

• Teach your children about flood safety

• Consider arrangements for your pets and any livestock

For updates, visit the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook page and the CRD website.

For more information, contact the CRD’s public information line at 1-866-759-4977, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents are strongly encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding evacuation alerts and orders by visiting member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup.

READ MORE: City of Quesnel orders local state of emergency due to risk of flooding along Baker Creek



editor@quesnelobserver.com

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