Skip to content

Sparwood partially rescinds evac alert, requests state of local emergency extension

The evacuation alert is still active for the Mountainview Mobile Home Park
29493940_web1_220623-FFP-SPARSITCH-_1
A map from the District of Sparwood showing the area under evacuation alert on June 17, 2022. (Courtesy of the District of Sparwood)

The District of Sparwood will be requesting to extend a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) and is partially rescinding an evacuation alert that was issued on Monday (June 13) due to flood risk and heavy rainfall.

According to a release from the district, the partial rollback of the evacuation alert was effective as of 3 p.m. Friday (June 17).

The alert for 9555 Highway 43 - lower Lodgepole Mobile Home Park, properties along GN Road and 1200 Matevic Road is cancelled.

Mountainview Mobile Home Park at 100 Aspen Drive will continue to be under alert.

“The SOLE and evacuation alert for the Mobile Home Park will be in place as the District investigates serious concerns relating to the erosion of the dike adjacent to the Park. Imminent risk remains at this location given the erosion that has occurred, remaining snowpack, and the forecast over the next week,” the release reads.

According to The Weather Channel, Sparwood has rain in the forecast for Friday night, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and next Friday.

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks said the safety of residents is their number one priority.

“Requesting the extension for the SOLE, set to expire on June 20 at midnight, will allow us to continue to take action,” he said.

The district has worked with the province and an engineer who has confirmed the hazard. The district will therefore take remedial action when authorized by the province, Wilks said.

“The SOLE allows the municipality to act, protecting residents and property from imminent danger, within areas of private property such as this. Ultimately, any action undertaken will be done expediently for short term protection purposes, and the responsibility to fix it properly and permanently will lie with the diking authority which is the property owner.”

The release says that an engineering assessment and plan is in the works to address the erosion, and reminds residents to avoid the area and all bodies of water during freshet.

“With erosion and undercutting occurring in this area in particular, residents must stay clear,” Wilks said.

“It may not seem like an issue to the naked eye, but there is a serious hazard here. We have received many reports of park residents concentrating to this location to take a look, but I cannot express enough the danger of this.”

“One slip or slough could result in devastating consequences.”

The release concludes by saying that all residents are ‘strongly encouraged’ to be prepared for spring flooding by having a safety plan in place, having a grab-and-go bag, and following reliable news sources.

Updates will be posted on the District of Sparwood website and Facebook page.

Information on flooding preparedness can be found here.

READ MORE: Sparwood declares local state of emergency, issues evac alert


@fishynewswatch
josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.