The City of Fernie is encouraging residents to be alert and prepared heading into yet another period of rainfall.
A rainfall warning is in effect for the area through to Wednesday, Dec. 1, with Environment Canada forecasting “a prolonged period of heavy rain”, with total rainfall expected to be between 50 and 70 millimetres.
“There is potential for increased runoff due to snowmelt, increasing the risk of flooding.”
READ MORE: Rainfall warning issued for the Elk Valley
In a release, the city encouraged locals to sign up for the Regional Evacuation Notification System to stay up to date on critical events - such as the heavy rainfall.
Fernie Fire and Emergency Services will be hand-delivering registration information to residents in lower-lying areas of the town tonight (Thursday, Nov. 30).
If you’d like to sign up, click on this link here.
The system is used only in the event of an evacuation alert or order.
Parts of Fernie experienced localized flooding on Nov. 14-15 during the first of a series of ‘atmospheric rivers’ that devastated parts of the province and damaged local infrastructure.
According to the city, Coal Creek is of particular concern.
“Coal Creek experienced erosion in several locations during the November 14th rainfall event, and as such, it is more susceptible to flooding.”
The city and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) received $30,000 in emergency funding to help with local repairs and technical assessments of damage along Coal Creek, with assessments ongoing.
READ MORE: PHOTOS: Aerial perspective captures changes to Coal Creek near Fernie
READ MORE: City secures $30k in emergency funding for remedial work at Coal Creek
scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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