Evacuation Alert issued for Paradise Valley properties in areas upstream of the Bailey Bridge

BC Hydro Spill Notice and Flood Alert in effect

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the District of Squamish Emergency Operations Centre for Paradise Valley properties in the areas upstream of the Bailey Bridge.

Because of the potential danger arising from rising water levels and flooding due to heavy rainfall and the BC Hydro Spill Notice, the District of Squamish has issued an Evacuation Alert for the following area:

• Areas upstream of the Bailey Bridge as shown below. 
• An information checkpoint for affected residents has been established at the Bailey Bridge;
• It is advised that residents avoid unnecessary travel to the Paradise Valley Road area. 

An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare affected residents to evacuate their premises or property should it be found necessary.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN AN ALERT IS IN EFFECT:

Upon notification of an ALERT, you should be prepared by:

• Locating all family members;
• Moving pets and livestock to a safe area;
• Preparing a bag, box, or suitcase with important items such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, insurance documents, and prescription medicine;
• Packing emergency supplies including a radio, cellphone charger, water and snacks, emergency blanket, first aid kit, seasonal clothing, and cash.

BC Hydro Spill Notice and Flood Alert in effect

The District of Squamish received a Spill Notice informing of a planned spill release through the spill gates at the BC Hydro Cheakamus Dam. BC Hydro is required to issue a Spill Notice when discharges are greater than 170 cubic metres per second.

Rapid increases in water levels within the next 24 hours are possible. There is the potential for top of river bank flow (bankfull conditions).

Inflows to Daisy Reservoir are high and the Reservoir is forecasted to exceed 376.5 metres this evening. Spill from Daisy Dam will be increased to ~300 cubic metres per second and there is potential to exceed 450 cubic metres per second discharge at Brackendale if natural inflows do not subside. Inflows are expected to start receding this evening and into tomorrow.

Residents and visitors are reminded to be cautious around the edges of the Cheakamus River during
these increased flow periods, and continue to be mindful of water safety.

View our Evacuation Guide 

A Squamish Alert was issued to affected residents and additional evacuation route details will be provided to affected residents if an evacuation becomes necessary. To subscribe to the free emergency notification service visit squamish.ca/alert. 

November 15, 2021