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UPDATE: With flood waters in Cedar receding, residents allowed back home

Make sure to have safe water supply, get technicians to assess electrical, gas components, says RDN

UPDATE: In a press release issued this afternoon, Nov. 16, the Regional District of Nanaimo rescinded an evacuation order for sections of Wilkinson, Alice and Riverside roads.

Upon returning to residences, or places of business, people are advised to call authorized technicians to assess electrical and gas equipment that may have been exposed to flood waters, said the RDN.

In addition, residents should turn power and gas back on and ensure homes and businesses are properly cleaned before moving back in. They should also confirm that water supply is safe and available and arrange for proper disposal of human waste and garbage.

“On behalf of the Regional District of Nanaimo, thank you to residents for their co-operation and patience as the RDN and partner agencies monitored, assessed and responded to flooding throughout the region,” said Tyler Brown, RDN board chairperson in the press release. “We extend our thoughts to all who have been impacted by the flooding and remind all to visit our website for important information on flood recovery and resources available.”

Brown expressed gratitude to first responders and volunteers, who assisted in evacuation and at reception centres.

“We cannot thank everyone enough for their efforts and support during this emergency,” Brown said.

PREVIOUSLY POSTED: A weekend of heavy rains have flooded the riverbanks in and around Nanaimo.

There is flooding along the Nanaimo River in Cedar as well as other areas of the region, with highway closures in the Cowichan Valley and on the Malahat.

“Flooding is occurring on both the Englishman and Nanaimo Rivers and water levels are expected to continue to rise into the afternoon,” noted a social media post from the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Wilkinson and Raines roads in Cedar are closed. Carly Trobridge, search manager with Nanaimo Search and Rescue, said no residents are stranded, but homes on Wilkinson have been evacuated, with about eight residents currently affected. Water has reached the front doors at some homes and is waist deep in many areas, she said.

Evacuation orders were put in place for portions of Wilkinson, Alice and Riverside roads, with Cedar Community Hall set up as a reception centre.

Trobridge advises members of the public to stay away from riverbanks and added that with high tide at 3 p.m. on Monday, water levels will rise.

“We encourage people to stay away from this area in particular for their safety and the safety of our members as well,” she said, referring to Nanaimo Search and Rescue’s command centre at the intersection of Cedar, Harmac and Raines roads.

The RDN directs residents to B.C.’s River Forecast Centre to stay up to date on flood warnings and advisories. There are flood warnings in effect on the Englishman River and Cowichan River, and a high streamflow advisory in effect on central Vancouver Island.

“A significant atmospheric river has made landfall across southern coastal regions of British Columbia,” the flood warning notes. “Observed rainfall amounts since Saturday have been in the 120-270-millimetre range across southern Vancouver Island and 60-175mm across western, central and eastern Vancouver Island.

The City of Nanaimo, in a press release Monday, noted that it has been “fortunate to have avoided the misfortunes of communities outside our borders,” but added that there is localized flooding in some parts of the city.

Flooding caused the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway in North Cowichan and on the Malahat.

For more coverage of impacts of the flooding on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in B.C., visit www.nanaimobulletin.com/news.

READ ALSO: Malahat closes again, Island Highway remains closed near Crofton due to flooding

READ ALSO: British Columbians warned to brace for further torrential rain, flooding through Monday



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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