Service Announcement
Water levels in Okanagan Lake have reached full pool, having continually risen over the past week due to increased rainfall in the Central and South Okanagan. The Penticton Fire Department and City crews are monitoring lake levels and will act on armouring the lakefront with sandbags or tiger dams to prevent damage if levels continue to rise. The City will notify the community should these measures need to be implemented. The following information is provided as a precaution:
- Residents in low-lying and waterfront areas that may be affected by flooding from rising lake levels are encouraged to stay informed. Sandbags will be made available to City residents should water levels reach the threshold for response activation.
- The Penticton Fire Department and City crews are monitoring the situation and are prepared to deal with emergencies should they arise. To report flooding contact the City at 250-490-2400 (after hours call 250-490-2324). Call 911 if you feel your personal safety is at risk.
- Anyone boating on Okanagan Lake is reminded to keep speeds down to prevent shoreline erosion and be extra vigilant as there may be logs and other debris floating in the lake at this time. Please ensure all boats and docks are properly secured against rising water levels.
- Homes located in the low lying areas with high ground water may start to see water seepage into their basements due to the higher than usual lake levels. As a preventative measure, homeowners should inspect their basement or crawl space sump pumps to ensure they are operating correctly.
- Updates will be provided as required through City of Penticton communication channels including social media, news releases and the website. The City now offers an Emergency Text Notification service to alert residents about evacuation alerts and orders through their mobile phones. Visit www.penticton.ca/subscribe to register to receive text notifications directly.