The City of Penticton has now declared a local State of Emergency to deal with the potential threat of unstable rock above numerous homes on Penticton Avenue.

鈥淎 preliminary review by a geotechnical engineer has now been completed and based on that information we have issued an evacuation order for 25 homes,鈥� says Emergency Operations Centre director Kristen Dixon.

Those homes remain on evacuation order on Wednesday.

The city is expecting to share more details on the next steps in dealing with the hazard and any continued impact on residents today, Nov. 22.

The properties are located in the northwest corner of the Pleasant Valley Mobile Home Park on Penticton Avenue.

The city was informed earlier on Nov. 21 of a large rock with the potential to break off and fall onto the homes below.

鈥淪taff immediately had the site reviewed by a professional geotechnical engineer and following that, made the decision to evacuate the potentially impacted properties,鈥� said Dixon on Tuesday.

Emergency Support Services has been activated at Fire Hall 2 at 285 Dawson Avenue and will provide support as needed to those evacuated.

The ESS centre will be open at 10:30 a.m. this morning and can also be reached by calling 250-328-8749 or at ess@penticton.ca. So far 21 homes have registered, said the city.