With strong winds and significant rainfall forecasted over the next couple of days for parts of the Similkameen Valley, another warning has been put into place.
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) issued a slope monitor warning via the automated Slope Monitoring System (SMS) for the nʔaysnúlaʔxʷ (Ashnola) and c̓up̓áq̓ (Chopaka) areas as weather forecasting showed precipitation and thunderstorms arriving on Sunday, May 25 and carrying into the week. The warning will be in effect until 1 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28.
"As we move into the 'in-between' of spring and summer, we also move into the more frequent development of thunderstorms," LSIB stated. "With the bottom of the valley in semi-desert and dry conditions, and the addition of low-pressure systems coming in over the alpine, the risk of thunderstorm development heightens."
Affected areas and locations of concern include:
- c̓up̓áq̓ (Chopaka) East Zone
- Fan areas and catchments on the west side of the Lower Similkameen River Valley
- Snehumption Creek
- Shoudy Creek
- Robert Creek
- Susap Creek
- Sintlehahten Creek
- Chopaka Road (North and South)
- Tributaries, gullies and slopes near Lower Ashnola River
- Ashnola Road (up to 16 km)
- Red Bridge Creek, Crater Creek, Webster Creek, Ewart Creek, Lakeview Creek
LSIB added that although thunderstorms can be beautiful, the "unknowns are how these systems will be affected by the drought, winds, burn scars, relative humidity and the strength of the incoming system itself."
LSIB will continue to monitor the situation and reiterate that public safety is the number one concern.
"The priority must always be your safety and the safety of others, so beware of where you are and what is happening," LSIB stated. "Should you spot slope movement, get to a safe place away from the area and then call 911 to report it."
