The Comox Valley Regional District, encompassing around 72,000 residents on mid-Vancouver Island, has declared a state of local emergency in response to ongoing flooding. On Friday, the River Forecast Centre issued a flood warning for Dove Creek and adjacent areas due to intense rainfall. Authorities noted that river flows surpassed levels expected in a 100-year flood event.
An evacuation order was issued for the Maple Pool Campground and 12 properties during the local emergency declaration. In downtown, Lewis Park and the Lewis Centre were shut down earlier due to elevated water levels. The B.C. River Forecast Centre also issued a flood warning for Courtenay and Tsolum rivers, indicating imminent flooding.
The provincial forecast centre highlighted a series of storms moving into coastal B.C., with forecasts predicting their continuation over the next days. Officials urged caution near rivers, aware of potential road washouts, advising residents to check local conditions on DriveBC.ca.
Will Cole-Hamilton, the chair of the Comox Valley Regional District, mentioned that evacuation orders were issued for low-lying properties, with firefighters assisting in relocating some livestock. Despite decreasing water levels post-high tide, evacuation orders remained in place overnight for monitoring as the region faced its first local emergency declaration in three years.
Local MLA Brennan Day visited Maple Pool Campground, where residents were relocating possessions due to visible flooding. Day mentioned significant water inflow down the river, clarifying that the Comox Lake Reservoir dam was not overtopped as per B.C. Hydro. The regional district advised people to steer clear of flood-prone areas and swift water currents.
Highway 28 on Vancouver Island, the sole link between Campbell River and Gold River, experienced closure due to a washout, reopening later with warnings about water pooling. Authorities attributed the closure to a blocked culvert causing water to flow over the road.