This week’s forecast of heavy rain has prompted the City of Fernie to make sure officials can respond quickly to changing situations.
City staff said the emergency operation centre (EOC) has been activated and Fernie’s flood mitigation response plan will be implemented to help respond to rising waters.
“The Elk River is currently at a level that we would expect for spring freshet, and we are continuing regular monitoring of water levels,” said Fernie officials.
This follows a flood warning for the Elk River issued by B.C.’s River Forecast Centre on Monday.
MORE: Flood watch issued in East Kootenay (June 12, 2022)
A number of self-fill sandbag stations are set up in the community at the following locations:
- Railway Avenue and Ridgemont Avenue.
- Main Sewage Lift Station parking lot off Mt. McLean Drive.
- In West Fernie at the intersection of Riverside Drive and McLeod Avenue.
MORE: RDEK sets up sandbagging stations before spring melt (May 26, 2022)
City staff said Thompson Park in West Fernie is closed to the public while operations workers prepare and stage sandbags.
The city has also closed the following trails in response to rising waters and more rain in the forecast:
- James White Park Trail Network
- Dogwood Park to Park Avenue Bridge
- Annex Park Inner Dike Trail Network
- A section of trail by the Fernie RV Park
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the Elk Valley, as the forecasts call for 50 to 80 millimetres of rain on Monday and Tuesday, before tapering off to light showers on Tuesday evening.
MORE: Heavy precipitation batters B.C. interior and southern Alberta (June 13, 2022)
Forecasts and current road conditions can be monitored through the links below.
More: Environment Canada weather alerts
More: Drive BC map
