The Comox Valley Regional District, a community with approximately 72,000 residents situated on mid-Vancouver Island, has declared a state of local emergency in response to ongoing flood conditions. This decision came after the River Forecast Centre issued a flood alert for Dove Creek and its surrounding areas due to intense rainfall.
Officials in the Comox Valley Regional District reported that the current river flows exceeded what is typically seen in a 100-year flood event. Consequently, an evacuation order was issued for the Maple Pool Campground and 12 properties on Friday afternoon during the state of local emergency.
Lewis Park and the Lewis Centre near downtown were closed earlier in the day due to elevated water levels in the vicinity. Additionally, the B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a flood warning for the Courtenay and Tsolum rivers, indicating imminent flooding in those areas.
The provincial forecast centre mentioned that a series of storms had moved into coastal B.C. and were expected to persist for the next few days. They advised residents to exercise caution around rivers, prepare for challenging driving conditions, potential road washouts, and stay updated on local conditions via DriveBC.ca.
Will Cole-Hamilton, the chair of the Comox Valley Regional District, communicated that the evacuation orders applied to low-lying properties. Firefighters were involved in rescuing livestock, including sheep, from the affected areas. Despite diminishing water levels following high tide, the evacuation orders remained in effect overnight, with continuous monitoring of tides and water levels by officials.
MLA Brennan Day visited residents at the Maple Pool Campground, where visible flooding was observed, prompting affected individuals to relocate their belongings to drier spots, including efforts to move RVs to safer areas. Day highlighted the significant volume of water flowing down the river, with concerns about the dam at Comox Lake overtopping, though later clarification from B.C. Hydro indicated that the dam was not being overtopped.
Highway 28 on Vancouver Island, the primary link between Campbell River and Gold River, was closed temporarily due to a washout. Subsequently, the road reopened with warnings for drivers to watch out for water pooling on the route.
Residents are warned to avoid flood-prone areas and fast-moving water, with Day emphasizing the importance of community support for those affected by the flooding. The MLA stressed the need for caution despite the subsiding rainfall, emphasizing the potential loss of possessions and the community’s role in aiding recovery efforts.