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Wednesday, June 26 • 2013
Vol. 5 • Issue 103
Streetcar 23 set for Canada Day rides See Page 2 RHC REALTY 250.352.7252
Independently Owned and Operated
www.rhcrealty.com
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Full Canada Day schedule for Nelson, Kaslo and Salmo See Pages 17-20
Region cleans up after heavy rains Last week’s deluge causes hectic days as the Kootenay spring exits with a roar; situation steadies after severity eases
GREG NESTEROFF and KIRSTEN HILDEBRAND Nelson Star Reporters
It’s been a dramatic few days in the West Kootenay with heavy rains causing slides, washouts, closing roads and bridges, leaving people isolated and damaging homes. But it seems conditions are settling down, according to Bill Macpherson, information officer with the Regional District of Central Kootenay. “Barring any unexpected heavy rains, which are not forecasted, everything should slowly return to normal,” he said Saturday morning. The regional district activated its emergency operations centre Thursday with flooding mostly a concern in and around Kaslo. It was deactivated Friday night. The forecast for the next few days includes showers, but heavy downpours like those falling last week are not expected. Most water systems in the region have peaked and are slowly dropping. In the most dramatic incident, a double-wide trailer on Hamill Creek north of Argenta floated downstream and another home was eroded at its foundation. Although no people were in the trailer when the bank gave way, Macpherson said there may have been some pets. The other home is on the edge of the creek. Assessments have to be done to figure out if it’s possible to shore it up, Macpherson said. The Hamill Creek bridge’s approaches on both sides washed out
Don Edwards photo
TOP — The flow on Hamill Creek north of Argenta ripped apart a bridge. RIGHT — Damage at Schroeder Creek near Kaslo included a motorhome that fell into the creek.
and one resident was evacuated to the north side. Power lines were in the creek. The bridge led to five homes and Glacier Creek regional park on Duncan Lake, where an unknown number of campers were staying. The park is now inaccessible and has been closed. Parks supervisor Cary Gaynor said in a news release it could be several weeks or longer before it reopens. Story continues to ‘Highway 31A’ on Page 4
Jim Yount photo
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