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UPDATED: Kootenay homes damaged by Hamill Creek flood

The Regional District of Central Kootenay is still assessing damage following heavy rain this week that damaged two homes north of Argenta.
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ABOVE: A double-wide trailer goes down Hamill Creek on Thursday. BOTTOM: One resident was evacuated after the bridge over the creek washed out.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay is still assessing damage following heavy rain this week that damaged two homes north of Argenta and caused problems around the region.

A double wide trailer on Hamill Creek floated downstream and another home is being eroded at its foundation. Emergency social services is trying to contact everyone in the area.

"Obviously that's going to be an issue is making sure those people are okay and have water," information officer Bill Macpherson said.

Although no people were in the trailer when the bank eroded, Macpherson said there may have been some pets.

The other home is on the edge of the creek. Assessments have to be done to figure out if it's possible to get some machinery in to shore it up, Macpherson said.

The Hamill Creek bridge's approaches on both sides have been washed out and one resident evacuated to the north side. Power lines were in the creek.

The bridge led to five homes and Glacier Creek regional park on Duncan Lake, where an unknown number of campers were staying. The park is now inaccessible and has been closed.

Parks supervisor Cary Gaynor said in a news release that it could be several weeks or longer before it reopens.

Facebook postings indicate a couple lost their home and farm in the Hamill Creek flood, although their livestock was rescued and is safe.

Officials flew over the area in a helicopter yesterday and may do so again today.

The good news is that most water systems in the region are dropping. "They peaked and are decreasing gradually," Macpherson said.

Among other issues:

• One house has been flooded at Fletcher Creek between Woodbury and Kaslo and a small access bridge affected. Fletcher Creek's water system has also been affected.

• A berm at Crawford Creek on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake has been affected but is holding and is being monitored.

• A dike on Silverton Creek in the Slocan Valley partially failed. It's being addressed with rip-rap and equipment. A Ministry of Forests crew is helping local personnel.

• A large slide occurred at Campbell Creek near Kaslo but there was no damage to cabins in the area. Nelson Search and Rescue had its boat on the lake near the creek Thursday afternoon.

• A section of the Mirror Lake water system was hit by debris.

• Power has been out since 4:40 p.m. Thursday to 122 Argenta-area homes. BC Hydro doesn't know when it will be back on. Telephones are also out, making it difficult to coordinate emergency efforts.

• Sandon has experienced some flooding, affecting the access road to the townsite.

• Unconfirmed reports suggest someone was evacuated at Murphy Creek.

Emergency personnel are at numerous sites throughout the region.

Most smaller creeks and watercourses have peaked as the forecast has improved slightly. Medium and larger creeks are expected to do the same if the weather forecast holds true. Rainfall is expected to be considerably less than over the past two days.

Meanwhile, Highway 31 has partly reopened in two places following washouts and slides overnight.

Schroeder Creek overwhelmed its banks and flooded the road 13 km north of Kaslo. It has now reopened to single-lane traffic.

The highway has also reopened to single-lane traffic at the Lardeau Bluffs 27 km north of Kaslo following a mudslide, but with 30-minute delays. It's unknown when it might fully reopen.

Highway 31A is also closed between Kaslo and New Denver due to washouts. DriveBC estimates it will reopen sometime between 2 and 5 p.m. Friday. No easy detour is available.

Heavy rains have also caused the partial closure of Highway 3A near Sirdar and undermined the railway track at Wynndel.

Between now and Tuesday, there is the potential for another 20 millimetres of rain, depending on location.