UPDATE: Torrential Rain and Localized Flooding

On the weekend of November 14, 2021, a torrential rain event resulted in localized flooding throughout Fernie and surrounding areas. Read ahead for important warnings and closures.

UPDATE: 11:30 AM, Thursday, November 18, 2021.
 
The RDEK has declared a State of Local Emergency in Electoral Area A (Fernie area) in order to access emergency powers through the Provincial Emergency Program Act. This order will remain in force until November 22, 2021.
 
The Evacuation Alert for 11 properties in Hosmer has been lifted, effective 2:00pm local time on November 17.
 
To receive direct notifications about Evacuation Alerts and Orders in the East Kootenay region, sign up to the RDEK's alert system, here.
 
Self-serve sandbag stations are available at two locations:
  • 1350 Railway Avenue, corner of Railway Ave & Ridgemont Ave, across from TJ’s Auto Body.
  • Hosmer Pub on Highway 3.
*Residents are advised to bring their own shovels.
 
Helpful tips on how to build a sandbag dike can be found, here.
 
Please drive with caution and watch for road closures and crews at work.
 
ROAD CLOSURES & DETOURS
  • Coal Creek Road is closed until further notice due to several dangerous washouts. To ensure public safety, this closure will prevent access to recreational areas such as the Rifle Range and Microwave Towers. PLEASE AVOID THIS DANGEROUS AREA.
  • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) was able to restore access on the south end of Cokato Road, which provides an exit route for all property owners between Thompson Road and Morrissey. Initially, three sections of Cokato Road were completely compromised by flooding or mudslides. Two of the three accesses, at the intersection of Robinson Road and near the cattleguard at Morrissey, are now passable and open to local traffic. The intersection of Cokato and Thompson Road remains closed with barriers in place to ensure public safety until repairs can be completed, which could take several days.
  • River Road Extension in the Regional District is washed out and impassable. PLEASE AVOID THIS DANGEROUS AREA.
Highway 3, 4km north of Fernie is now open.
 
Montane Parkway is now open.
 
The river bank at the intersection of Anderson Road & Highway 3 experienced some erosion, however there is no impact to the highway.
 
The intersection of Montane Parkway & Cokato Road has reopened.
 
Currently Mt McLean Drive is open but should be avoided unless necessary.
 
Road closures will change throughout the day as crews respond to localized issues. 

For the latest information on highway conditions, visit www.drivebc.ca

Thank you to Fernie Ready Mix for kindly donating concrete barriers, helping to keep our community safe.

PARKS, FACILITIES & TRAIL CLOSURES

  • Max Turyk soccer fields are closed.
  • The Railway Underpass Trail between Pine Ave and Park Ave has been closed due to extreme danger and bank erosion.
  • Dogwood Park Trail to Park Ave is closed.
  • Montane Recreation Trails, Ridgemont Recreation Trails, and Fernie Ridge Trails are closed to the public until further notice for safety and remediation.
 
Utilities crews continue to ensure our water and wastewater infrastructure systems operate under intense flows.
 
Our streets crew are working to ensure catch basins and culverts are clear of debris, so storm water flows away from properties. Any assistance we receive from the public is greatly appreciated.
 
If you are experiencing a life safety emergency, call 911. If you see flooding that is causing property damage please report it to Fernie Fire and Emergency Services by calling 250-423-4226.
 
Crews continue to work across the community addressing the issues on a priority basis.
 
The RDEK is working to determine the scope of damage and impact localized flooding has caused to the region. If you experienced damage to your property as a result of this storm, please fill out a Damage Report, attaching at least one photo of the damage, here: https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/damagereport
 
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) has authorized disaster financial assistance (DFA) for those who experienced damage as a result of the flooding and debris flows triggered by the November 14-16 heavy rainfall event. Those who may qualify for this assistance include: home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farmers, charitable organizations and local government bodies, who were unable to obtain insurance to cover these disaster-related losses.
 
Applicants should first check with their insurance agent to determine if their insurance policy provides coverage for the resulting damage. DFA is available only for essential, uninsurable losses.
 
Information about Disaster Financial Assistance is available on the DFA web site at www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance.
 
Application forms can also be downloaded from the Flood Damage page at https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/damagereport and are available through the RDEK on request by phoning 1-888-478-7335.
 

Read more about how you can prepare, stay safe, and recover from a flood, here.