Effective May 27, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., due to rising water levels on Buck Creek, the District of Houston issued an evacuation alert for residents of Houston and area.

An evacuation alert notice means that residents may be asked to leave their homes on very short notice and travel to identified reception centres. Should residents be required to leave, detailed evacuation instructions will be provided directly to them by local emergency personnel.

Emergency Management BC is coordinating assistance with the District of Houston to implement their emergency plans in case an evacuation order is required. Activities are underway, including:

* Calling in Emergency Social Services support to establish reception centres where temporary lodging and food services will be available;

* Providing four kilometres of gabions for Houston to use for flood management;

* Providing telecom support to the local Emergency Operations Center;

* Northern Health Authority and BC Ambulance Service taking preliminary steps in the event they need to move the four patients at the Houston Health Center and 16 residents of the Cottonwood Manor seniors' facility.

In the meantime, residents who are on alert should prepare by organizing an emergency supply kit with necessary medications, personal toiletries, change of clothing and personal and family documents.

For a more information on this evacuation alert and other flooding information go to http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/emergencyinfobc/ or follow Emergency Management BC's Twitter feed @EmergencyInfoBC. Residents are also advised to listen to their local radio or TV station for more up-to-date information and instructions.

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Contact:

PECC Information Officer

250 952-5560

EMBC on the web: www.pep.bc.ca

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect