North Vancouver homes evacuated due to danger from debris-filled creeks

Three homes in the District of North Vancouver are under a new evacuation order and the area is under a local state of emergency after an atmospheric river earlier this month filled creeks in the area with unstable debris, the district says.

In an alert, it said the district's geotechnical consultants found debris slid into Ostler and Panorama creeks in Deep Cove during the heavy rainfall, and now, creeks are filled with debris and may not be able to withstand further rainfall.

"If we have an upcoming rainfall event this fall that's a typical big fall storm, we currently have some concerns that [the creeks] won't be able to convey in, in a predictable manner, all of that rainfall," said Peter Cohen, general manager of engineering infrastructure services with the district.

The city is sending crews and heavy machinery to the scene to remove debris from the creeks, Cohen said, adding the homes will remain on evacuation order until the city can establish the creeks are no longer dangerous.

He said the city has been in contact with affected residents.

The district previously ordered six properties in the area evacuate after flooding caused by the atmospheric river.

The district lifted the evacuation order last week, but on Saturday, it issued a new evacuation order and declared a local state of emergency for neighbourhoods east of Francis Creek, accessed from Indian River Drive; or accessed from Panorama Drive, north of the 2500 block.

Two homes on Indian River Drive and one on Panorama Drive remain evacuated Monday. 

"This extent of debris could pose a life safety risk to adjacent properties," the district in its statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have issued evacuation orders for those properties."

Residents are encouraged to seek assistance through the North Shore Emergency Management office for Emergency Support Services if they need assistance during temporary relocation.