While the water levels on the Bonaparte River and Cache Creek appear to have come down, concerns around flooding loom.

Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta says the village is still under a local state of emergency as several properties remain on evacuation orders.

“Hopefully we can rescind those in the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, Ranta explains the properties that are not evacuated, are under a boil water advisory until further notice, as a flood-damaged water main is only temporarily fixed.

“It’s got some challenges, it’s in a location that’s difficult to access; so it may take a few days to get repaired completely, and I think it’s an eight-inch line that’s been temporarily replaced with a fire hose.”

Ranta says the damage in Cache Creek has been extensive.

“I think there’s a good chance we’ll lose at least one of the motels that were in Cache Creek and possibly two. It’s hard to say the damage has been devastating for some properties.”

He says they are planning to start up a fund for people looking to donate, to help people in Cache Creek whose properties have suffered from significant flood damage.

“Many homeowners don’t have overland flood insurance, because it’s too expensive,” said Ranta. “Hopefully, some people will contribute to that fund and allow us to provide some form of financial assistance to those that have been damaged considerably.”

He adds that there are still delays on Highway 97 in Cache Creek, due to the significant erosion of the culvert under the highway.

“Hopefully the province will move at lightspeed to repair Highway 97. Right now there’s just one lane traffic, alternating traffic with a pilot car, allowing traffic to go north and south on Highway 1 and 97,” explained Ranta.

“I think that’s probably unacceptable to the provincial government, and certainly unacceptable to travelers, so hopefully, they’ll move quickly to restore Highway 97 to four lanes.”

While most of the town is on Stage 1 Water Restriction, there are still a handful of properties on Stage 4 Water Restriction until further notice, including: All units in 944 Old Cariboo Road, all units in 956 Old Cariboo Road, all units in 1055 Old Cariboo Road, 1057 Old Cariboo Road, 805/844 Trans Canada Hwy, 827 Trans Canada Hwy, and 701 Trans Canada Hwy.

The Village of Cache Creek is asking residents to stay out of the community park, as it is closed due to flooding.