By The Canadian Press

Evacuation orders lifted for some properties in Grand Forks

May 20, 2018 | 12:07 PM

GRAND FORKS, B.C. — The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has begun lifting evacuation orders on some properties after cooler temperatures and less rainfall spared the area from an expected second surge of catastrophic flooding last week.

The regional district has rescinded evacuation orders on 175 properties, which affects about 350 people in Grand Forks and some nearby communities.

About 20 damage assessment teams are going door-to-door, putting placards on homes with minimal or no damage that they deem safe to return to.

Several hundred homes evacuated due to loss of road access due to flooding will also have their orders rescinded once access is restored.

Grand Forks Mayor Frank Konrad says the city is working closely with the regional district to restore access to downtown businesses as quickly as possible.

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The regional district warns that waters could rise again later in the week if there is heavy rain, so it encourages residents to keep sandbags in place until more high-elevation snow has melted in the coming weeks.

The rising water levels in the Kettle River watershed has also increased the risk of sloughing, erosion and bank instability in several locations, so 39 addresses in the Grand Forks area have been issued hazard notices.

About 1,300 properties remain under evacuation orders in the region.

The Canadian Press