Self-Fill Sandbag Station Set Up in Fairmont as Freshet Continues

With the warmer temperatures, the potential for thunderstorms in the forecast, and the ongoing spring freshet, the RDEK has set up two self-fill sandbag stations.

The RDEK is encouraging residents who live in flood-prone areas to take steps to be prepared in the event the region does experience localized flooding. Self-fill sandbag stations have been set up in Fairmont behind the old barn at Mountainside Golf Course on Hot Springs Road and at the Hoodoo Mountain Resort on Highway 93/95 near the Centex Gas Station.

The sandbag stations have sand and bags; however, residents need to bring their own shovels and gloves. Additional sandbag stations will be set up around the region as conditions warrant.  

River levels in the East Kootenay may rise in the coming weeks and the RDEK is urging residents to stay well away from waterways throughout freshet.  “This time of year, preparedness and safety are key.  Know the numbers to call, have a family emergency plan, plan ahead to protect your property from flooding if you are in low-lying areas, and ensure you stay well back from waterways as rapid, unpredictable changes in waterways are possible,” says RDEK Communications Manager, Loree Duczek.

The RDEK has distributed its seasonal freshet newsletter to all rural mailboxes in the region and it is posted on the Personal Preparedness page on [url=http://www.rdek.bc.ca]http://www.rdek.bc.ca[/url] along with a host of other links and resources.

The RDEK continues to urge residents to sign up for the regional Evacuation Notification System, which notifies registrants by landline, mobile phone or text in the event their property or marked location is within an evacuation alert or order area. Registration instructions and more information are available on the Emergency Information page on [url=http://www.rdek.bc.ca]http://www.rdek.bc.ca[/url].

To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, build an emergency kit or create a family emergency plan, visit www.PreparedBC.ca.