Resources
For specific information related to an emergency event, check out the news releases. There are also a number of additional resources available in the event of an emergency to provide more information. Some helpful links are:
Flood & wildfire
- FireSmart BC's Last Minute Check List
- BC Wildfire Service (active fire information/fire bans), BC Wildfire map
- The new BC Wildfire Service mobile app is available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices and is free to download in the App Store and Google Play
- FireSmartBC & FireSmart Canada
- Government of Canada Okanagan Lake levels
- River Forecast Centre (freshet/flooding/snow pillow information)
Emergency services & health
- Evacuation Reception Centres
- Air Quality Health Index
- Extreme Heat Emergencies
- Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team ALERT (animal support in an emergency, 250-809-7152)
- DriveBC (road conditions, including closures)
- Emergency preparedness for farm animals
- Emergency Support Services Evacuee Registration & Assistance platform
- Interior Health (Health/Drinking Water Advisories)
- First Link Dementia Helpline (1-800-936-6033 M-F 9am-8pm)
Power outages
View the map provided by BC Hydro for West Kelowna properties impacted by significant power outages.
The following questions and answers apply when there is an active emergency event.
Please continue to contact affected friends and family directly. If the concern rises or you believe they are missing, RCMP is available to request a welfare check. Please use this option in immediate emergency situations. Contact the RCMP's non-emergency line at 250-762-3300.
No, you cannot return to your home until the evacuation order has been rescinded. You can register with Emergency Support Services and they will be able to assist you.
The local Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) provides emergency animal support.
Anyone can help pass along official information about a local emergency or evacuation. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and share our official messages. If you aren't on social media, sign up for e-updates and forward them to friends and family who might be looking for more information.
Visit the be prepared page for more information.
A state of local emergency (SOLE) is declared "when an emergency or disaster (as defined in the Disaster and Emergency Management Act) within its jurisdiction requires access to the extraordinary emergency powers of the Act." (source: Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC)
A local authority might declare a SOLE when an event occurs within its jurisdiction that meets the definition of emergency in the Act. Generally, this would mean that the event requires the exercise of the emergency response powers. To declare a SOLE, the use of emergency response powers must be considered necessary to respond to an emergency.
In the Okanagan, a SOLE is declared by the affected municipality's Mayor or Regional District Chair.
An event has taken place (e.g. flood, fire) that may require residents to by ready to leave their homes at a moment's notice. Residents in the affected area should be prepared to be away from their homes for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents. Visit the be prepared page for more information.
Updates will be provided as they become available through cordemergency.ca, e-updates and social media (facebook.com/cordemergency & twitter.com/co_emerg).
An event has made it necessary for residents to leave their homes immediately. Residents will be restricted from returning.
Updates will be provided as they become available through cordemergency.ca, e-updates and social media (facebook.com/cordemergency & twitter.com/co_emerg).
