Marilyn Strong was taking part in an effort to save her neighbours鈥� homes from the rising waters of Mill Creek Saturday when she found herself in need of a hand.

鈥淎ll of a sudden the creek got diverted and water ended up going down the lane behind Burne and Cadder,鈥� said Strong, whose home is on Burne Avenue.

鈥淚t just kept coming. I was out in front of the house filling sandbags, as we had been doing for a day and a half, and I could see the water coming toward our place, in the backyard.鈥�

In no time at all the water had created a nearly knee-deep pool in her backyard and it was seeping into her basement. When all was said and done, her basement was submerged in 16-inches of water.

鈥淭here was no way to predict that,鈥� Strong said Monday, adding that she has lived in her current address since 2005 and nothing of the kind has happened in the past.

Despite the fact she鈥檚 currently wading through water-logged remnants in her storage space, a potentially damaged furnace that has had the gas turned off to it, she still believes she鈥檚 lucky.

鈥淚 feel so bad for some people 鈥� their properties were really damaged,鈥� she said, adding that many won鈥檛 have been insured for what鈥檚 been lost.

The silver lining to all that鈥檚 gone wrong, however, has been the community鈥檚 willingness to step in and help in anyway it can.

鈥淚t was impressive,鈥� she said. 鈥淏esides the fact neighbours were out filling sandbags, people were just coming through to help and we鈥檇 ask 鈥榳here do you live on the street?鈥� and they would say 鈥榳e don鈥檛.鈥欌��

One case that stood out to Strong was of a family that pitched in just because they had heard about what was going on from their school age child.

The man worked at Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corporation and he and his wife were shovelling and filling sandbags for the better part of the afternoon and evening.

She鈥檚 also been impressed by the Christian Aid Ministries team.

They arrived in 91大黄鸭 from Lethbridge Monday, and over the next few days a team will be pitching in to help victims of the flood recover and, if need be, those threatened brace themselves for the second wave of flooding.

鈥淲e found out about the situation online,鈥� said Arnie Brubacher, with the Christian Aid team.

鈥淲e have guys that watch for floods and disasters, like that. So we flew out here (Monday) morning to assess the damage and see what work we can do.鈥�

So far, said Brubacher, they鈥檝e found places that need flooring removed. In other homes furniture and storage will have to be taken to the dump.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not sure if any of the stuff is saveable yet, we haven鈥檛 gotten into the work of it yet,鈥� he said.

All the work that will be done is of no cost to homeowners and most of those who will be doing the work are volunteers.

鈥淲e should have guys here this week and next week, if there鈥檚 a need for more,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e should have guys here tomorrow working on Burne Avenue, but if there鈥檚 need to sandbag more, we do that as well.鈥�

Related:

That need may arise. Temperatures are expected to rise to 27 C by Wednesday, which will increase stream flows again.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist said the government agency is forecasting highs in the 26 C range and then Thursday and Friday they are calling for another 15-25 millimetres of rain.

That combined with run-off from higher elevation, yet-melted snowpacks may be cause for concern.

鈥淲here it did flood prior there may be less pressure, but there may be new watersheds under pressure when the next system runs through,鈥� Lundquist said.

Emergency response crews are also preparing for the worst.

The short-term forecast is calling for significant rain starting late Thursday and the Central Okanagan Regional District Emergency response team has recomended that area residents keep in place all protective measures.

鈥淐itizens who live in low lying areas near creeks and lakes that may be susceptible to flooding should also take preventative measures to protect their properties.

Sandbags are available at City of 91大黄鸭 Fire Station No. 1 at 2255 Enterprise Way. Sand and sandbags are available at Swalwell Park in Lake Country. Sand is available outside the Hotel Eldorado on Cook Road in 91大黄鸭 and on Commonwealth Road by Holiday Park in Lake Country. Please check cordemergency.ca for updates on sand locations throughout the day.

All Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place. Please go to cordemergency.ca for specific addresses.

Residents on Evacuation Order should report and register at the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre located in the Salvation Army Church, 1480 Sutherland Avenue (corner of Burtch Road and Sutherland Avenue), which will reopen this morning at 11 a.m.

Residents and property owners that are no longer under Evacuation Order and now able to access their property need to be aware that properties may not be habitable or have full services, such as electrical and/or natural gas. Residents who have registered with Emergency Support Services can continue to use any unused vouchers.

Residents with property managers should see them to obtain information on the safety and status of their property.

Disaster Financial Assistance

The BC Government announced that Disaster Financial Assistance is available to Central Okanagan residents affected by the recent flooding. Applications must be submitted by August 5 to Emergency Management BC and are available online at www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance.