With flood waters receding in the Chilcotin, the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains focused on damage assessments and shifting towards recovery.
The Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and road contractors continue with road repairs and are making good progress. Currently, all of our CRD residents now have access in and out of their properties. It is expected that most road remaining road repairs will be completed within the week. The EOC is continuing to support those residents affected as needed.
Over the last couple days, EOC staff have been flying through the flood-impacted areas in the Chilcotin and visiting properties to conduct initial damage assessments of residential structures. Damage assessments provide the basis for the CRD’s and the provincial government’s recovery planning. Currently, it appears that damage to residential homes is minimal, however there is significant impacts to outbuildings, hayfields, irrigation channels, land and fencing. At this time, it is still too early to tell the scope or magnitude of the damages as much of the land within the affected properties affected is still too wet or access is limited. Further assessments will be done as water continues to recede.
Communicating with our residents
The CRD will be hosting a public meeting on Saturday, July 20th at 2pm at the Big Creek Community Hall, as steps are taken towards a plan for recovery. This meeting will give impacted residents an opportunity to meet with CRD representatives, along with other partner agencies and to receive informational updates and resources.
Our public phone line remains active during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 1-866-759-4977.
All residents, ranchers, business owners and tourism operators with needs or concerns or impact that have not yet connected with the EOC, are encouraged to call 1-866-759-4977. Press 1 to be connected with our Water Stewardship Liaison, press 2 to be connected with our Agriculture Liaison and press 3 for all other inquiries.
Reminder: Ranchers are reminded to report agricultural impacts
Impacted residents need to call the EOC at 1-866-759-4977 (press 2) to talk to the Agriculture Liaison and report their agriculture impacts. Ranchers and producers do not need to have a full assessment of damages; they just need to call to start the process for assessment.
Travel in Flood Impacted Areas
Non-residents should avoid travelling in the flood-impacted areas in the Chilcotin. Please check the Drive BC website and the Forest District webpage (forest service roads) for the latest updates on road access and restrictions.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development also advises not all Forest Service Roads or other Forest Roads managed by Timber Tenure Holders have been assessed following the recent rain event. Other hazards may exist and may not be visible to road users. Attempting to cross damaged roads, bridges or sections affected by mudslides or landslides is not recommended.
Resource road users should plan before travelling the back roads. Please ensure you either have a means of communication like a satellite phone or have shared your route and return time with another person and have a plan for what to do if you are overdue.
More information
Find more information on flood preparedness, current river conditions and emergency updates at:
- CRD Website: cariboord.ca/EOC
- CRD Emergency Operations Facebook Page: facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations
- Road Conditions:
- Prepared BC – Disaster Readiness Information: www.gov.bc.ca/preparedbc
- BC River Forecast Centre:
- Sandbagging – General Information
www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/embc/flooding/sandbagging.pdf
Residents should register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders or other emergency updates: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup
Residents should register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders or other emergency updates: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup
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