Storm Brings Flash Flooding to BC Interior
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The Mayor of Cache Creek says it’s likely his community will declare a State of Local Emergency this afternoon. John Ranta says about 50 people were displaced Saturday and says a declaration may open up additional options for financial support. He says in the meantime, contractors continue to clear clogged culverts. Ranta says the cost of the contractors and village staff who worked overtime would be covered should the declaration be instated.
Environment Canada says yesterday’s violent storm saw 18 mm of rain fall in Merritt and 26 mm in Cache Creek within one hour. Meteorologist Trevor Smith says the storm total in Merritt was 22 mm while Cache Creek had 36 mm of rain.
Tom Moe is the Chief of the Cache Creek volunteer Fire Department and says “there is lots of damage and lots of debris everywhere.. it looks like a war zone.” Moe says his crew had a difficult time responding to emergency calls Saturday because a mud flow, 8 inches high, pushed in the department’s bay doors and spewed debris throughout the fire hall. Moe says once the hall was cleared, it was difficult to maneuver on the streets because they were covered six inches deep with debris. He says many people were displaced and put up in hotels and one person was sent to hospital with minor injuries.
Kamloops Search & Rescue Manager Alan Hobler says 26 search members were dispatched from 100 Mile and Kamloops. He says there is significant damage in Cache Creek, after the creek overflowed and diverted through two homes. Hobler says one of the homes appeared to have been moved off its foundation.
