(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 7:05 am) - After 10 days, the evacuation order for Eagle RV Park and Campground in Keremeos will be lifted this morning.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said it will be rescinded at 10 am.
"The RDOS has received a geotechnical assessment conducted on the slope where the rock fall occurred," the Regional District said.
"The report, which was prepared for the RDOS by Ecora Engineering & Resource Group Ltd., provides information to assist property owners and residents in making an informed decision about next steps."
You can view the geotechnical assessment here.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre at Victory Hall in Keremeos is now closed.
(UPDATE: Jan. 20 @ 2:15 pm) - The evacuation order for Eagle RV Park and Campground remains in place, now four days after the rockslide that sent large boulders across Hwy 3 and onto the property.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's Emergency Operations Centre is awaiting the final engineering report on the slide.
However, a summary indicates that there is "still risk to life" due to cooling and warming temperatures, which create an opportunity for freeze-thaw conditions that could contribute to further rock fall.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre will reopen at Victory Hall in Keremeos from 10 am until 3 pm on Saturday.
"The reception centre is being activated to assist evacuees who require a renewal of support services," explains the RDOS. "Evacuees can visit the reception centre in Keremeos or call RDOS ESS at 250-486-1890."
In the meantime, people are urged to stay clear of the Eagle RV Park and Campground property while it's under an evacuation order.
Evacuees who require access to their property can make a formal request through the RDOS ESS by calling the number above.
(UPDATE: Jan. 19 @ 11 am) - The risk assessment for Eagle RV Park and Campground continues, three days after a rockslide that caused significant property damage at the site.
A technical team and experts from the provincial ministry of transportation assessed the slide area on Tuesday.
The RDOS is working with engineers to prepare a report on the slide.
An evacuation order remains in place for Eagle RV Park and Campground at this time.
The EOC has opened an emergency support reception centre at Victory Hall in Keremeos for anyone who is impacted.
It will remain in place until the evacuation order is lifted.
(UPDATE: Jan. 17 @ 1:05 pm) - Hwy 3 has reopened on the west edge of Keremeos, 24 hours after a rockslide forced crews to shut down the route.
A PentictonNow reporter at the scene says the highway officially reopened to traffic at 1 pm.
An evacuation order remains in place for people staying in the Eagle RV Park and Campground.
(UPDATE: Jan. 17 @ 11:15 am) – A rockslide in the South Okanagan has prompted the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to open their Emergency Operations Centre.
Highway 3, west of Keremeos, remains closed Tuesday. All lanes continue to be blocked as crews assess the situation.
Crews on site tell PentictonNow that there will be a helicopter assessment done today, however, no other details are available at this time.
The rockslide happened on Monday and sent rocks over the highway into the Eagle RV Park and Campground.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported but an evacuation order for the tenants remains in place.
Anyone in need of emergency support services can stop in at Victory Hall at 427-7th Ave. in Keremeos.
Alternatively, people can call the RDOS ESS at (250) 486-1890.
For further information, please call the EOC Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at (250) 490-4225.
(Original story: Jan. 16 @ 1:20 pm) – A rock slide has shut down Hwy 3, on the west edge of Keremeos, and it appears as though it will be an extended closure.
DriveBC said the rock slide is between Ashnola Road and 10th Avenue, and it has all lanes blocked.
#BCHwy3 is closed west of #Keremeos due to a rockslide. Local detour available.https://t.co/Ps7DineeIZ
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 16, 2023
A geotechnical assessment is needed and DriveBC isn’t anticipating an update on the situation until 9 am on Tuesday.
There is a local detour available for passenger vehicles, as motorists can get around the blockage by using River Road.
However, semis and other heavy vehicles will not be able to get around the rock slide and are advised to use a combination of Hwy 3A, Hwy 97, Hwy 97C and Hwy 5A as a detour.
There are reports through social media that the rock slide has caused property damage at the Eagle Campground & RV Park.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is expected to make a statement this afternoon.
NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.
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