Every year homes are destroyed by the actions of an unforgiving Mother Nature. During the twenty years I have lived in Penticton, several homes literally slid down a slope near Skaha Lake. The slope behind them was sandy and silty, and had been weakened by the building beneath and by rainstorms. Finally, one massive thunderstorm proved too much.

There have been mudslides which have closed roads, too. Of course, we are familiar with these  happening along our mountain highways. But when they occur  within city limits we need to take note. We need to say, "This should not be happening. How can we prevent such occurrences in future?

And at this moment, the city is still dealing with the aftermath of a mud-slide behind a set of town-houses, which occurred some months ago. A new owner, on the bench above, had disrupted the soil on that level, intending to plant a vineyard. Before he could stabilize the area, a heavy rain caused a mudslide which put the townhouse-owners out of their homes for months. The retaining wall is being rebuilt behind these homes, but is proving a costly and time-consuming endeavour.

Home-owners need to take on a "buyer beware" mindset. If we build a home under one of the Okanagan’s bluffs, we should realize we are taking a calculated risk. Nature is constantly on the move. Erosion will eventually cause subsidence. Cliffs weaken, and during a heavy rain become mudslides waiting to happen.  The Councils of many Okanagan centres have been all too ready to allow builders to go ahead without sufficient consultation. Local geologists know the runoff patterns in the area, and where springs are located. City planners surely have access to this information. Builders must be  properly informed and restricted. But home owners also should be aware; they need to ask probing questions.

Similarly, if an individual wants to build in a treed area  just outside of town, he or she must weigh the risks carefully. It’s delightful to live in the forest, but it ‘s also dangerous. City fire protection will probably not be available at that distance and forestry fire-fighters have no mandate to deal with homes.  Insurance may be prohibitive--or even non-existent. Every trip to the town center will necessitate the use of a car.

In fact, for two wage-earners, two cars will be a necessity. And it’s becoming a luxury to drive, as oil prices keep rising. Perhaps, on sober thought, it may be a better decision to buy in town.

Throughout the years, more and more houses have been built to stand in areas carved out of hillsides that should never have been disturbed in the first place. A backdrop of sandy, chopped-out hillside and a foundation of fill is asking for trouble. Why have these buildings been permitted? And are newcomers to the Valley being made aware of the dangers?

Fires will continue to be the pattern in forested areas. Bluffs will continue to be subject to mudslides and rock-slides. Water courses, springs and runoff will find a way to deal with our mountainous areas. Streams and rivers will flood—especially as we find ourselves dealing with the changes occurring because of "Global Warming" Saying, "But we haven't had weather like this in my lifetime in the Okanagan Valley!" will no longer apply. We may look on in horror as unprecedented high winds take down precious trees, but nature will not change her ways at our command.

Building or buying in the Okanagan needs to be preceded by intelligent thought, expert advice, and careful planning. Endlessly bailing homeowners out of situations that should never have occurred in the first place cannot become an option.