Work underway to divert Cache Creek back to its correct path

CACHE CREEK, B.C. — The water may be going down and the cleanup beginning, but the damage has been done to the village of Cache Creek after a week of flooding. As of Friday afternoon (May 5), more than 10 properties remain evacuated with others still on alert.

“We had a little bit of a surge in the creek Thursday night, but it has gone down. It’s typical for it to get higher overnight, but right now it’s at a more or less manageable level as far as assessment and repairs are concerned,” said Wendy Coomber, Information Officer with the Cache Creek Emergency Operations Centre.

As far as good news for the village, the elementary school, which has been closed this week, is dry. Work was beginning on Friday (May 5) to redirect the river. That task will allow Fire Chief Tom Moe and his team to access their fire hall again.

“We are just kind of waiting and watching. They are supposed to be diverting the creek back into its channel today, so if that happens we will be able to start the cleanup in the fire hall and get it back operational,” said Moe.

While dozens of properties will be dealing with some extent of water damage, a few are far worse off than the rest. Upstream was the first home to be destroyed on Monday (May 1) night. Further down, the Tumbleweed Motel appears to be a write-off, with debris pilled high and water still battering the front.

“Nobody can believe how high it is. At its highest point in the last few days it was higher than the river. And somebody said, ‘Yes, it’s wider, too.’ It is our new river,” stated Coomber.

The owner at the motel fought to save his property to the last moment. His neighbour recounted the moment the owner was nearly swept away by the raging water.

“They didn’t want to leave, his wife was up front, and he was trying to clear a garbage can out right on the corner. I was standing here watching him, he started pushing and he went in, almost got swept away. I almost jumped the fence to go and save him,” said Ray Cox.

As the river rushed over the highway on Wednesday (May 3), the power of the water destroyed the roadway. As cleanup begins, the village is keeping a close eye on the Bonaparte River.

“It is high but it’s not breaching its bank yet. It is actually — well knock wood — behaving,” said Coomber.

Despite the reprieve residents received on Friday afternoon, a weather statement is forecast to hit the region this weekend.