Oliver mudslide — “We are neighbours first, last and always!”

Tourism groups express concern and praise for Oliver residents after mudslide.

Destination Osoyoos Association.

News that Hwy 97, the main traffic route through Oliver and the South Okanagan, has just been reopened to traffic is welcome, but the agencies in charge of tourism and economic development in the region say everyone’s thoughts and sentiments remain with those affected by the major mudslide which hit just south of Oliver on Sunday afternoon.

“Our thoughts and hearts go out to all who have been affected by the mudslide,” says Jo Knight, Executive Director of Destination Osoyoos, the tourism services organization for the Osoyoos area.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) CEO Glenn Mandziuk says, “We certainly have a lot of empathy for everyone who has suffered loss, either directly or indirectly, from this natural disaster.” He adds, “We want to strongly congratulate the emergency personnel who responded in the hours after the mudslide on Sunday and all the other people in that community and surrounding area who continue to work so hard to clean up and rebuild from this event.”

“The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce is extremely grateful for the concern and support the community of Oliver has garnered in light of this catastrophe,” says Bonnie Dancey, CEO of the Chamber, which serves businesses in Oliver, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls. She adds that the closure of Hwy 97 limited access to six of Oliver’s 21 wineries, although visitors to the area “were still able to taste some of B.C.’s best wines at the remaining 15 that were not affected by the road closure.”

Jessie Campbell, Tourism Marketing Manager with Penticton & Wine Country Tourism, says, “We’re so fortunate the South Okanagan is as tightly knit as it is. The beautiful wine region south of Penticton is a vital part of this area’s infrastructure, and seeing everyone pull together is truly inspiring.”

Jo Knight echoes that sentiment: “We are neighbours first, last and always!”

During the closure of Hwy 97, the provincial government’s Drive BC website advised the public that both directions of traffic were cut off in the section 8 km south of Oliver to 10 km north of Osoyoos. The recommended detour was Road 9 and Road 18. ( http://www.drivebc.com/details.jsp?eventId=98479 ).

Although that detour and others allowed residents and visitors to continue to travel in the area, the reopening of Hwy 97 returns traffic access to normal. “People should remain cautious and continue to check with officials and Drive BC in case conditions change, but at this point the area is fully accessible to visitors,” Knight says.

Mandziuk adds, “We hope that the worst of this incident is over, and we are thankful that amazingly there were no injuries. We are optimistic that things will quickly return to normal and we can continue to welcome visitors from across North America and around the world to the wonderful wineries, golf courses, restaurants, resorts, beaches and other attractions of this gorgeous part of British Columbia.”