The City of Enderby Emergency Operations Centre is focused on two emergencies: flooding (currently in planning phase) and the COVID-19 pandemic (currently in recovery phase).
The City’s Emergency Dashboard can be bookmarked at www.cityofenderby.com/emergency. Emergency updates, notices on closures, and other information on topics like preparation and recovery will be posted here first.
Flooding
Due to rising river levels, the boat launch on Kildonan Avenue is closed effective immediately. Please do not use the boat launch and follow any posted signs or barricades.
The weather forecast is predicting 5-10mm of rain on both Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31. This will cause the Shuswap River to swell from May 31 to June 2. After June 2, it is forecast that river levels will recede slightly, at least for the short term.
Shuswap River flows are currently 380.8 cubic metres/second and levels are 4.5 metres. Flows are projected to moderately increase to 402.6 cubic metres/second on Friday, May 29. As the rains hit, flows are projected to increase rapidly, with a short-term peak of 517.4 cubic meters/second predicted for June 2. As the snow melt continues in the upper elevations, warmer temperatures and further precipitation will continue to increase flows in the medium term.
Given the forecast, the City is advising property owners to take steps to protect their property.
The City has sand and sandbags available for free outside the Public Works Yard at 2308 McGowan Street. Please bring your own shovel to load the sandbags. Property owners are responsible for protecting their property, and we encourage you to take appropriate measures in advance if your property may be at risk.
Pandemic
The EOC has shifted its focus to pandemic recovery. This is occurring at two levels: corporate services and community-wide.
At the corporate services level, recovery is being planned on the following principles:
- Clear guidance from a health officer that it is reasonably safe to resume the service, and the basis on which it may be resumed;
- A risk assessment of the service to ensure that the City can provide for the safety of workers and the public in accordance with the guidelines of a health officer; and
- An analysis of industry stakeholder positions (such as Destination BC and the BC Recreation and Parks Association) as well as comparison to neighbouring jurisdictions.
In light of the Province’s Restart Plan, risk assessments have been performed on City facilities, industry stakeholder positions have been considered, and neighbouring jurisdictions examined. All of this feeds into the new provincial requirement for Safe Operations Plans for reopened facilities. This is a requirement for both public confidence and worker safety.
The following facility updates are provided:
- City Hall has reopened for its regular “tax season” hours. Enhanced sanitation, occupancy limits, a plexiglass screen, and other measures have been implemented for the protection of the public and workers. We are also pleased to provide a variety of ways for you to do business online with us – from our new electronic home owner grant claim option available on our website through to paying your tax and utility bills through your online banking portal. Please see this post for full information.
- The pool is planned for a late June opening, the Riverside RV Park is planned for an early June opening, and the Visitor Centre is planned to open during the second week of June on a reduced schedule. All will have Safe Operation Plans which follow sector guidance.
We are discovering, through a mixture of advance planning and outcome evaluation, what our “new normal” is. In many ways, our “new normal” will mean a safer, healthier, way of operating. However, some services may be eliminated or modified. Other services may take a bit longer to provide so that we can ensure proper sanitation, hygiene, and physical distancing. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to provide safe facilities and services for you.
At the community level, Enderby City Council has struck a Pandemic Community Recovery Select Committee to address business and individual recovery. The Select Committee, which includes members of the public alongside Mayor McCune and Councillor Baird, are working hard brainstorming ideas that will help position Enderby businesses and individuals for recovery. The Committee’s recommendations will appear on a forthcoming Council agenda.
Concluding Thought
We know that getting through the pandemic response has been a struggle for many. When you add to this flood preparation, we certainly could be said to be living through unprecedented times. Fear and anxiety are normal and valid feelings as we stand together facing multiple challenges. But there is also good reason to be optimistic in our recovery and to take reassurance in how a small community sticks together during emergencies.