RDCO declares very local state of emergency aimed at preventing damage to bridge

A state of emergency has been declared for a property along Mission Creek in the Joe Rich area.

Emergency Management BC (EMBC) made the request, which was granted by the Regional District of the Central Okanagan.

Communications officer Bruce Smith says the order is needed to protect critical infrastructure. It's also in the interest of public safety.

The property impacted is in the 11200 block of Highway 33 east.

Officials with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure can now get on the property near Mission Creek and the Highway 33 bridge crossing the creek. They'll be demolishing and removing structures on the property. EMBC has identified that the vacant house is an imminent risk to be swept into the creek. It could damage the bridge.

The heavy rain last week turned Mission Creek into a raging river, sweeping several trailers on the property downstream and into the bridge. They have been removed.