Kaslo landslide leads to evacuation of 47 homes

Officials have declared a state of emergency in Kaslo and have ordered the evacuation of 47 homes due to a landslide.

The district issued the order Monday night due to a slide on Zwicky Road, which leads from Kaslotowards New Denver.

"There was no damage it is precautionary," said Regional District of CentralKootenayspokesperson Bronwen Bird.

"In the last few weeks we have had some landslides in the area. We had to issue an evacuation order for the Johnsons Landing area where we had that massive mudslide in 2012."

"We've had a lot of snow and heavy rain and now that snow is melting and the ground can only take so much."

The following streets inKaslo are covered by theevacuation order:

• Zwicky road area from 1531 to Victoria Avenue
• All of Charles St
• All of Sherman St
• West side of Craft St
• West side of Jardine St
• 1100 and 1200 blocks of 'C' Avenue
• 1200 block of 'B' Avenue
• West side of Allen St

Affected residents are to report to theKaslo Legion Hall on Fifth Street.

Bird said the slide occurred approximately 350 metres above the road. She said residents were taken to a reception centre Monday night and housed in local hotels.

Geotechnical assessments are planned for Tuesday. A public meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Legion Hall.

With files from Bal Brach