Flood update for 7pm, Nov 15, 2021

November 15, 2021

(North Cowichan, BC) - After 24 hours of heavy rain, North Cowichan is focused on continued response and some recovery. The rain has subsided and clear skies are forecast for the next few days. Heavier rain to the west is still making its way down rivers and streams, and impacting low lying areas.

Residents are asked to continue to exercise extreme caution around water, and heed signs and warnings in place around closures and hazards.

The following roads in North Cowichan remain closed:

  • Canada Ave (Sherman Rd to Co-op Gas Station)
  • Mary St (by Bings Creek)
  • Chemainus River at intersection of Crofton & Chemainus Rds.  All access to area closed.
  • Westholme Rd by Bell McKinnon and Nimmo Rd areas
  • Trans Canada Ave SB by Green Rd
  • Lakes Rd at Beverly (detours and flaggers in place)
  • Mays Rd between Herd Rd & Bell McKinnon
  • Mays Rd south of Herd Rd
  • Escarpment Way
  • Norcross Rd between Anzio and Westcott
  • Tzouhalem Rd from Lakes Rd to Brier Rd

A State of Local Emergency has been declared for parts of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, including North Cowichan. Full details at https://www.cvrd.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2347

  • A reception centre for evacuated residents has been established at the Cowichan Community Centre.
  • Residents in low-lying areas, particularly those prone to flooding, should be prepared to evacuate at any time.

Crews will be working overnight monitoring creeks and rivers, and assessing any changes to flood conditions.

Sandbags and sand are available to the general public at the Works Yard on Sprott Road, across from the operations yard.

Peak flow levels on the Cowichan River were exceeding the flows from both the 2020 and 2009 floods. For context, the flow on the river in 2009 was 447 m3/s (1:7 year river flow); 562 m3/s (1:40 – 1:50 year river flow) in 2020, and was 640 m3/s and climbing before noon today (November 15) (1:100 year is 680 m3/s). Currently the Somenos flood plain at Beverly and Lakes, where the flood wall is in place, has risen to its highest level to date and is currently 0.20 metres from flooding over the bridge.

Follow DriveBC for updates to highway and major roads, Alertable for road and weather updates, and to North Cowichan social media channels for local information.

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CONTACT:
North Cowichan Communications
250-709-5012

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