Central Okanagan

Photo: Contributed - Jessica Cervo

Storm clouds move in - Viewer gallery photo

A storm rolling into the Okanagan is expected to dump between 40 and 60 mm of rain on the region over the next 24 to 36 hours.

Accumulations will vary depending where the eye of the storm travels.

Despite the heavy accumulations of precipitation expected over a short period of time, Regional Emergency Program Coordinator, Jason Brolund doesn't expect the storm to pose much of a flood danger.

While a storm this time of year of not unprecedented, Brolund says working in their favour is the fact most of the snow in the region that would impact creeks and streams has already melted away.

Because June has been relatively mild and dry, larger water systems such as Mission Creek are at a relatively low level for this time of year.

"Mission Creek for example probably will come up as a result of this rain - but, unless we get far more than is being predicted, we probably won't see any issues there," says Brolund.

"Where we may see issues is in those smaller creeks and streams where they will come up very quickly because a lot of rain is being dumped. They should drop down as well."

He says facing a storm such as this when the creeks and lake are at their peak like last year would cause them a lot more concern.

"We have a buffer zone now where stream levels are much lower and the lake is actually down to about 5cm below full pool. We have some room in terms of the storm that is coming."

Brolund says people living in areas near the smaller creeks should be prepared and keep an eye on water levels as they begin to rise.

Sandbags are still available at local fire halls throughout the Central Okanagan Regional District.

Another concern is the amount of debris that higher, fast moving creeks will deposit into Okanagan lakes, as a result of the storm.

Photo: Contributed - Google Street View

The federal government will pour $21,000 into upgrading the Lake Country Community Centre.

The announcement was made Wednesday morning by Kelowna-Lake Country MP, Ron Cannan.

The funds, from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, will support the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs efforts to upgrade the Community Centre.

"Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs is very thankful to receive funding from the Government of Canada for the Lake Country Community Centre project," says CEO, Craig Monley.

"The safety improvements and new teaching kitchen will greatly enhance our facility and allow both youth and members of the community to learn important life skills they can carry with them into the future."

The money will help enable the club to make improvements that will enhance safety by re-leveling the exterior walkway and drainage as well as fund the teaching kitchen.

"I appreciate the excellent services that the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club provides to our community. By improving facilities such as this, we are helping to boost economic activity while improving local infrastructure," says Cannan.

 

Photo: Castanet Staff

This photo was taken from the cancer fundraiser in 2012.

A little rain never hurt anyone – that’s the stance being taken by organizers of the third annual Naked Zipline for breast cancer research.

The event is going ahead as scheduled at the Zip Zone in Peachland on Thursday, despite weather forecasts calling for heavy rain.

Ladies are being asked to bring two sets of warm waterproof clothing (one to wear before and one to wear on the other side) and blankets and rain coats will be on hand for participants as well.

The fundraiser will get underway at noon and will feature a record field of over 150 women braving the heights and the elements as they zip over Deep Creek Canyon.

Over $16,000 was raised last year for breast cancer research and spokesman Kevin Bennet hopes to double that amount this year.

You probably won't have to build an Ark, but if you have something planned for the outdoors the next few days, you may want to make alternate arrangements.

Photo: Castanet Staff - File Photo

According to Environment Canada, heavy rain is on the way.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday advising heavy rain in the range of 40 to 60 mm will begin to fall in the Southern Interior beginning Wednesday.

The special weather statement pertains to much of the southern half of the province.

Environment Canada states:

"A low pressure system currently off the British Columbia coast will gradually shift inland beginning today delivering another round of thunderstorms for many regions of the interior. The low will continue eastward throughout the week tapping into deep moisture from the Southern United States.

Widespread rain is expected to develop across the BC Interior early on Wednesday morning. With this ample supply of moisture and the slow moving nature of the low, heavy rainfalls are likely across the BC Interior. As stated the heavy rain is forecast to begin early Wednesday morning and continue through Thursday.

The challenge remains pinpointing where exactly the heaviest amounts will fall. Currently the heaviest amounts are possible in an area stretching from the Central Rockies west to the Chilcotin and south to the US border. Widespread rainfall totals of 40 to 60 mm is expected over a two-day period with locally higher amounts possible especially where rain is enhanced by local topography."

The latest forecasts and warnings can be obtained from Environment Canada's website.
 

Photo: Google Street View

The speed trap was set up in the Hwy. 97 construction zone near Oyama.

Speeding through construction zones continues to be a problem, especially in the Okanagan where over 100 motorists were ticketed yesterday (Monday).

Members of the Central Okanagan Traffic Services and Integrated Road Safety Unit were out in force at the construction zone on Highway 97 near Oyama.

Police say 102 drivers were fined for speeding in a constriction zone.

These fines carry a minimum penalty of $196.

Other fines issued throughout the day include:

• 1 driver fined for Use Electronic Device
• 1 driver fined for having No Valid Drivers Licence
• 1 Drug Seizure
• 4 Notice and Orders with instructions to repair deficiencies