Historical situation reports

Note: Due to a technology upgrade that makes it easier to post new situation reports, all historical reports are archived here.

December 31, 2019 Snow Event – Status Update 13:20 – The City of Enderby, along with the rest of the region, has been hit by a major snow event that started overnight. We are expecting the snowfall to continue into the evening.

Road conditions are challenging, so please avoid driving unless it is necessary.

Our Public Works crew is out in full force and all equipment is operating. We have brought in extra crew from our Parks department to assist in keeping all of our equipment deployed in the field. We have hired several contractors to help with snow hauling on top of this. Even after the snow stops falling, it will take a while to dig ourselves out.

Thank you to everybody in the community who has been patient, helped a neighbour, or given a friendly wave to our plow operators.

Remember to be careful while driving near to where snow clearing equipment is operating. Be sure to make eye contact with the operator and wait for a wave before you drive around them, as equipment may turn suddenly.

Please do not plow your driveway snow onto the street.

Here are 7 tips for easier snow clearing:
https://www.cityofenderby.com/7-tips-to-easier-snow-cleari…/

The City crews plow streets inside of the City of Enderby except Highway 97A. AIM Roads plows Highway 97A through the City of Enderby as well as the roads in rural Enderby (Area F of RDNO). For a map showing the City of Enderby, please refer to this link: http://www.rdno.ca/maps/enderby_addressmap.pdf

Enderby EOC Situation Report – May 24, 2019 – The City of Enderby opened up an Emergency Operations Centre Level 1 to respond to an intense, long-duration storm event that overwhelmed community and local drainage systems. Multiple roads were partially covered in mud and debris. Some damage to roads, boulevards, and pedestrian paths occurred and is being assessed and remedied on a hazard-priority basis. Power outages knocked out sanitary sewer lift stations and the sewer treatment plant, which are being serviced by back-up power. A number of businesses and homes were affected by overland flooding, but no residential displacements are known to have occurred. Barnes Park near Vernon Street was partially flooded and will drain slowly; the pool access is open. The situation is being monitored and clean-up / repair is expected to occur throughout next week. Thanks to the many residents who were out helping their friends and neighbours, or offered their help to others.

October 23, 2018, 1:03pm – FortisBC has concluded its investigation and indicated that no leaks were found. RCMP have confirmed that they assisted in removing a vehicle north of town that was the likely source of the odour.

October 23, 2018, 11:53am – Regarding the strong sulphur smell that blew through town earlier this morning, reports back from our Fire Chief indicates that the smell was caused by a semi truck with mechanical problems, which drove through town. The smell appears to be the source of odour, which is similar to natural gas, and accounts for the broad area where the odour was detected. The vehicle has been intercepted outside of town by emergency responders. We are continuing to monitor, but this appears to be the likely source of the odour. FortisBC continues to investigate and updates will be posted to this location as and when received.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for June 16, 2018, at 12:00 – The Enderby Emergency Operations Centre is standing down as a result of the passing of flood response and recovery efforts. Tuey Park will remain closed until the water recedes further. All other roads and public areas are open.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for June 2, 2018, at 16:00 – Shuswap River levels continue to drop, which is providing welcome relief for all. The High Streamflow Advisory for the Shuswap River has ended, per the River Forecast Centre.

The river level at the hydrometric gauge is 4.395 metres (compared to 4.781 metres on May 30) and it is discharging at 361 m3/second (compared to 432 m3/second on May 30). The river forecast is predicting a continued drop until June 10, at which point it will be discharging at around 280 m3/second.

The Riverwalk is now dry and ready for walking without detours! Tuey Park and the Kildonan Boat Launch remain closed. Part of Riverdale Drive remains closed except for local traffic and service/emergency vehicles, although the submerged area is receding.

While we are still monitoring weather conditions for any change, the Enderby EOC will begin to shift from response to recovery over the course of next week. From this point forward, Situation Reports will be issued as needed when a closure is no longer necessary or there is a message that needs to be conveyed regarding recovery tasks.

Again, a big thank you to those community members who helped out in any way, big or small. You are appreciated.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for May 30, 2018, at 17:15 – It’s always nice to write a situation report with a positive message, and this is one of them!

As the forecast predicted, the Shuswap River has begun to drop rapidly, but we are not yet out of the woods and our good fortunes could be reversed with a change in weather.

The water level at the hydrometric gauge is 4.781 metres (compared to 4.987 metres on May 27) and the discharge rate is 432 m3/second (compared to 472 m3/second on May 27).

We are starting to see some visible results in the field as a result. As the river level has declined, parts of Riverdale Drive that were previously submerged have begun to recede; however, access is restricted to local traffic and service/emergency vehicles until further notice. More parts of the Riverwalk have reopened. The Kildonan Boat Launch remains closed.

The river is forecast to continue to decline over the next 10 days as melt from upper elevations dwindles. Discharge rates should drop below 400 m3/second on June 1 and headed towards 300 m3/second around June 10. There is some precipitation forecast for June 3 and 4 that we will be watching carefully, and we encourage property owners to maintain flood protections for the immediate future.

Thank you to everybody who contributed or helped out in any way for your community spirit, patience, friendly waves, and for sharing this information to help keep our friends and neighbours all apprised.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for May 27, 2018, at 16:00 – Shuswap River levels continue a slow drop. This is good news, and we are expecting a steeper decline to start this week.

The water level is 4.987 metres (compared to 5.044 metres on May 24) and the discharge rate is 472 m3/second (compared to 484 m3/second on May 24).

Based on the river forecast for this week, the main risk at this point is a sustained bout of rain causing river levels to surge. We are expecting scattered precipitation next week and will be monitoring conditions closely.

Water levels dropped enough that a few submerged parts of the Riverwalk are now dry and have been reopened. However, there are still closed spots.

In addition, Tuey Park and the Kildonan Boat Launch remain closed and Riverdale Drive is closed except for local traffic.

Last week, the water was flowing over top of the Riverwalk stairwell. Now, it’s down below the top of the highest stair…but still very high, as the photo shows!

Riverwalk stairwell partially submerged by Shuswap River

Enderby EOC Situation Report for May 24, 2018, at 15:20 – Shuswap River levels continue a slow decline consistent with recent forecasts. The water level is 5.044 meters (compared to 5.092 meters on May 22) and the discharge rate is 484 m3/sec (compared to 493 m3/sec on May 22).

These numbers are welcome, but we are still in a heightened state of alert as the situation could deteriorate with a change in weather conditions. That said, the current river forecast is showing a steeper decline in discharge rates beginning on May 26. We are hopeful that this will add some capacity to the river ahead of precipitation forecast for May 30.

All existing closures remain in effect. Riverdale Drive is closed past the barricades except for local traffic and service/emergency vehicles. Kildonan Boat Launch, Tuey Park, and sections of the Belvedere Hand-Launch are also closed.

Property owners are asked to maintain existing flood protections.

Did you know that the City of Enderby Emergency Dashboard located at www.cityofenderby.com/emergency has links to some great tips to prepare your household for an emergency such as a sudden evacuation? During a time when every moment counts and the stress can sometimes affect clear thinking, doing some advance preparation can help you, your family, and your pets through difficult times.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for May 22, 2018, at 15:40 – Shuswap River levels have receded slightly with a larger drop forecast for around May 28. The river level is 5.092 meters (compared to 5.122 meters yesterday) and it is discharging at 493 m3/sec (compared to 499 m3/sec yesterday).

Riverdale Drive remains closed except for local traffic. The Kildonan Boat Launch, Tuey Park, certain spots along the Riverwalk, and the Belvedere Hand-Launch are also closed.

Property owners should continue to maintain existing flood protections for the immediate future, as the river’s decline could easily be reversed with a change in the weather forecast.

Enderby EOC Situation Report for May 21, 2018, at 18:50 – Just a quick report tonight, but with some good news!

The Shuswap River slowed slightly today and is forecast to continue to drop over the next 10 days. Our optimism is guarded as we are still in a state of heightened concern where any progress can quickly go the other way, but good news is welcome!

The primary water level is 5.122 meters (compared to 5.139 meters yesterday) and is discharging at 499 m3/second (compared to 503 m3/second yesterday).

Forecasts can change and the river is still running extremely high, so we are encouraging property owners to maintain existing protective works and take precautions, as well as be aware of changes to your surroundings.

Riverdale Drive remains closed except for local traffic and service/emergency vehicles. The Kildonan Boat Launch, Tuey Park, Belvedere Hand Launch, and parts of the Riverwalk are submerged and closed.

Have you bookmarked https://www.cityofenderby.com/emergency yet? This is our website’s “emergency dashboard” that will run a list of current and past situation reports, as well as all active closures, alerts, declarations, and orders.

Enderby Riverwalk Bench Flooded

May 20, 2018, at 18:00 – The Shuswap River slowly continues to rise, but we are expecting it to stabilize for the next several days following by an increase around May 26 as a result of forecast precipitation.

The water level is 5.139 meters (compared to 5.102 yesterday) and the discharge rate is 503 m3/sec (compared to 495 m3/sec yesterday).

Portions of the Riverwalk are submerged and marked off with cones or signs. The Belvedere hand launch and the transfer pump lookout east of the Water Treatment Plant on Railway Avenue are also submerged.

Riverdale Drive remains closed except for local traffic. Please avoid driving through the submerged section of the road unless it is a necessity. The end of McGowan Road is also submerged. The Kildonan Boat Launch and Tuey Park remain closed.

Sand and bags are located outside the Public Works Yard at 2308 McGowan.

May 19, 2018, at 14:15 – The rate of rise of the Shuswap River has slowed, but continues to increase. Primary water level at the hydrometric gauge is 5.102 meters (compared to 5.004 meters yesterday) and the discharge rate is 495 m3/second (compared to 476 m3/second yesterday).

Today’s river forecast is showing the discharge rate continuing to slow over the next several days, before starting to climb on May 24, peaking on May 26, and starting to decline on May 27. Note that this is only a 10-day forecast and is subject to change – it’s not intended to provide longer-range forecasting.

Riverdale Drive remains closed except for local traffic and service vehicles. Currently, there is ponding in low-lying ditches and at a low point in the road. Tuey Park is closed to the public. The Kildonan Boat Launch is closed to the public. Unauthorized persons who bypass barricades and enter closed areas will be issued tickets.

There is a sandbag machine down at the Public Works Yard on McGowan. It’s faster to sandbag in a group, so be sure to invite along your neighbours – they are probably facing the same flooding concerns as you and would welcome the opportunity to share the work.

A huge thank you to those members of the public who have taken time out of their day to make sandbags for others. Your good samaritan activities have placed you at the top of the karmic wheel!

Monitoring continues and situation reports will be posted throughout the long weekend when there is a significant change in status or forecast.

May 18, 2018 at 15:25 – The Shuswap River continues to rise and is now showing a water level of 5.004 metres and a discharge rate of 476 m3/second. Yesterday, it was running with a level of 4.788 meters and a discharge rate of 434 m3/second. We are anticipating further increases over the next several days, with a peak around May 25, and then a decline. The peak is forecast to exceed 2012 levels, but this is subject to revision as weather patterns materialize. Reports from the upper Shuswap River, below the Wilsey Dam, are forecasting an increase that will peak late next week at roughly 360 m3/second (by contrast, last year peaked at 320 m3/second).

Current closures are Riverdale Drive past the barricades (residents who live inside the affected area as well as service and emergency vehicles can still access this area), Kildonan Boat Launch, and Tuey Park.

A sandbag machine is in place at the Public Works Yard and bags/sand are provided. Please take steps to protect your property. Please use caution when near a stream bank, as the ground may be saturated or undermined, and prone to slippage.

The Emergency Operations Centre will be monitoring the situation throughout the weekend and additional situation reports will be provided as needed.

May 18, 2018 at 10:00 – Riverdale Drive is closed except for local traffic (e.g. persons with or attending a residence within the closed area) and service/emergency vehicles. Please do not drive down to look as this interferes with response efforts, creates wake that damages properties, and can be frustrating for the neighbourhood.

For residents of the affected area of Riverdale Drive (past the barricades), recycling and garbage collection will be provided next week and drop locations will be established outside of the closed area. Notices will be hand delivered to affected residences today.

May 17, 2018 at 14:30 – The Shuswap River continues to rise, and is showing a water level of 4.788 meters and a discharge rate of 434 cubic meters per second. At 2pm yesterday, it was running at 4.659 meters and discharging at 409 cubic meters per second, so we are seeing a steady climb. Of critical concern over the next 48 hours will be the impact of precipitation forecast for the Shuswap drainage basin.

Around the City, there are no major overland flooding occurrences of which we are aware at this time. However, we are observing ponding starting to occur in low-lying areas near to the Shuswap River. Staff are taking steps to protect critical infrastructure.

Please note that, due to high water levels, Tuey Park and the Kildonan Boat Launch are closed to the public.

If private property may be threatened by flooding, please take precautions to protect it – free sand and bags are available outside of the Public Works Yard on McGowan. A sandbagging machine was delivered courtesy of the Province and was set up this morning, which will help speed things along.

May 15, 2018 at 11:50 – Monitoring for flooding conditions. Property owners who may be subject to flooding are encouraged to take precautions to protect their property. River is forecasting a significant increase in the rate of discharge over the next 5 days.

Last Updated on November 12, 2021.