Several properties near Gates Lake north of Pemberton are on evacuation alert due to risk of flooding, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) said Sunday night, July 28.
The alert is "due to the risk of overland flooding and debris flood and potential impacts to the Gates Lake area in Electoral Area C," the SLRD said. "On Sunday, July 21, a sudden and high volume of water flowed from the vicinity of Place Glacier into Poole Creek, in Electoral Area C of the SLRD, causing flooding at the valley bottom and significant diversion of existing creeks and streams. This Evacuation Alert is issued out of an abundance of caution due to the current and forecasted rainfall conditions and how this may impact the current overland flooding and debris flood hazards in the coming days."
The alert affects four addresses on Gates Creek Road and four on Pemberton Portage Rd., the SLRD said.
"Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible before evacuation; however, you may receive limited notice due to rapidly changing conditions, the SLRD said. "Residents are advised to use caution in the area, avoid streambanks and water channels. There is the potential for increased sediment and stream bank instability in these areas. If you witness signs of slope instability or debris flood, please contact the SLRD at: 604 356 3082."
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
• Pre-register for Emergency Support Services online at: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/
• Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside of the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.
• Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g., insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependants and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
• Prepare to move people who may need additional time to evacuate, children and/or neighbours who would require assistance.
• If transportation assistance is needed, call the SLRD Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 604-356-3082.
• Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).
• Arrange transportation and accommodations for all your household members, if possible, and fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
• Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating.
Further information will be posted in notices at www.slrd.bc.ca and through the SLRD Alert Messaging service. Subscribe to SLRD Alert for free at www.slrd.bc.ca/slrdalert to receive emergency notifications via email, text messages, and voicemail.
