Mabel Lake welcomed RCMP

Photo: Contributed - Vernon Search and Rescue

North Okanagan RCMP jumped into action last Friday when a landslide washed out Mabel Lake Road.

RCMP say there were immediate concerns for the safety of people trapped behind the washout and a decision was made to set up a temporary office behind the landslide.

“Two officers were directed to go in and set up a temporary office to be able to respond to any calls for service requiring police attention behind the slide area,” says RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk.

Two officers from the Vernon detachment were flown in by helicopter to the Kingfisher / Mabel Lake location and set up a temporary base.

Molendyk says the two cops were provided a temporary 'cop' car from a local resident to patrol the roads behind the washout so that they could respond to concerns from the residents trapped behind the slide.

"We were there to serve the community and ensure them although they were cut off physically from driving out, we could have brought in other resources like helicopters, boats, whatever we required so that we were operational on the ground for those individuals," added Molendyk. 

The officers did end up responding to two calls while they were in Mabel Lake.

“The RCMP would like to thank the residents of the area for their assistance and warm hospitality while they were there during this uncertain time of the community being cut off from power and an impassable road."