The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) issued evacuation orders earlier today for the following areas near the Englishman River and the Nanaimo River:
• 380 Martindale Road, RDN Electoral Area G
• 246 Riverbend Road, RDN Electoral Area G
• Portions of Wilkinson Road, Alice Road and Riverside Road, RDN Electoral Area A
The RDN later expanded the evacuation order in Qualicum to include Riverside Resort and Waters Road near the Little Qualicum River in RDN Electoral Area G.
The regional district said in a news release that residents living in the impacted areas who were at home have been contacted directly by the local fire departments and search and rescues agencies.
All residents are asked to leave the area immediately and register at the closest reception centre: Parksville Community Centre at 132 East Jensen Ave.; Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones Street or the Cedar Community Hall at 2388 Cedar Road.
Evacuees will be provided with food, accommodations and incidentals, if required, according to Catherine Morrison, RDN Emergency Services manager.
The RDN Emergency Call Centre is open today until 6 p.m. to answer questions regarding flooding in the region at 250-390-0940 and open again from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 16).
Residents in low lying areas are encouraged to take precautions and if flooding occurs, move to higher ground, the RDN said. Stay away from river and stream banks as fast moving water conditions are very dangerous.
The province’s River Forecast Centre issued a flood watch for the Englishman River this morning.
Environment Canada warned of a “significant atmospheric river event” bringing heavy rains to the east Vancouver Island region. It forecast the rain would let up this afternoon (Nov. 15).
