City declares state of emergency to fix damaged dike

Mar 31, 2017 | 4:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has declared a state of local emergency due to damage to the South Thompson River bank near Thompson Drive in Valleyview.

Officials aren’t sure what caused the damage, but say it appears a large object hit the bank.

Public Works and Utilities Director Jen Fretz says the declaration allows the city to act with more urgency in addressing the problem before the spring melt is in full swing.

“The state of local emergency is more specific to the need to potentially go across neighbouring properties, potentially remove vegetation in order to get access to the site. We are not entirely sure at this point if we are going to be accessing across land or via the water,” stated Fretz.