Mudslide causes evacuations, state of emergency for Area I
By Castlegar Source
The following is a press release issued by the RDCK at 2:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area I following the mud slide on Highway 3A approximately four kilometres north of Castlegar. The declaration empowers the RDCK to take actions necessary to protect human life and property from the threat of further landslides.
The RDCK has also issued an evacuation order for a single property due to the immediate danger to life safety in the vicinity of Sentinel Mountain forest service road in the Thrums area. The property owners have been advised. The attached map indicates the affected area.
“At this time, today’s mud slide and the immediate risk of more slides only affect a small area. We continue to monitor the situation and will advise the public if any other properties or areas are at risk,” said Andrew Bellerby, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director. “For now, residents should look into other options for travel through the area, and stay tuned to local media for updates.”
A mud slide occurred earlier today that blocked Highway 3A near Brilliant Dam north of Castlegar. The highway was subsequently closed in both directions. The public should check www.drivebc.ca for information about alternate routes, and https://bctransit.com for transit updates.
The RDCK activated its EOC to support all agencies involved and is working alongside the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) in response to the incident.
More information, including evacuation alerts, orders or rescinds, will be shared as the situation develops. For updates, please visit www.rdck.ca, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
For general information about evacuations, please visit the Emergency Preparedness page of the RDCK website or PreparedBC.
Incorporated in 1965, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is a local government that serves 60,000 residents in 11 electoral areas and nine member municipalities. The RDCK provides more than 160 services, including community facilities, fire protection and emergency services, grants, planning and land use, regional parks, resource recovery and handling, transit, and much more. For more information about the RDCK, visit www.rdck.ca.
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