Hugh Braker, the emergency preparedness co-ordinator for the Tseshaht First Nation, got the bad news during a conference call with Environment Canada and other government agencies Sunday afternoon.

Port Alberni would not escape a massive storm headed for Vancouver Island. During the call, Environment Canada described the storm as an “atmospheric river” and the B.C. River Forecast Centre predicted flooding equal to, or worse than, the floods of 2014 by Tuesday evening, said Braker.

article continues below

“It’s looking very bad. We had thought the rain was going to go north and we hoped we’d escape. But it doesn’t look like it at all,” Braker said late Sunday afternoon, as the rain began to fall again outside the emergency operations centre.

Environment Canada predicts that 80 to 120 millimetres will fall on Port Alberni from Sunday to late Tuesday.

“We can handle that,” said Braker.

However, the watershed of the Somass River is projected to receive 275 mm of rain during that time. In some areas, the estimates are as high as 300 mm of rain, said Braker.

“And that we cannot handle. The river here is already at flood stage and we just can’t handle that. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

The Tseshaht declared a state of emergency on Friday after heavy rainfall caused significant flooding of homes along the Somass River. Six families stayed at local hotels after their homes were evacuated. Those families were allowed to go home Sunday night but could be evacuated again Monday or Tuesday.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we ask families from eight or nine of those residences to leave. I’d like to ask all of them to leave, but quite frankly some people really hate leaving their homes.”

Highway 4, the only highway between Port Alberni and Tofino and Ucluelet, is expected to flood Monday night and will lead to serious difficulties for people, said Braker.

Thousands of sandbags have been placed around 14 houses that are threatened by the floodwaters. Volunteers filled another 800 sandbags on Sunday, then took a break.

“Quite frankly, we’re just exhausted,” said Braker. “To be honest, stress makes you tired, too.”

The Tseshaht will probably put out a call for more volunteer sandbaggers on Monday.

Although the Tseshaht reserve has been getting a lot of attention in the press, dozens of homes are flooding in the Sproat Lake and Beaver Creek areas.

“If I lived in the Sproat Lake area I’d be really worried right now,” said Braker, who toured the area Saturday and took photographs of floodwaters surrounding homes.

In the meantime, Braker said he wants to thank the people of Port Alberni for all their help and for the volunteers who brought food.

“We’re really, really grateful. It really helps during a situation like this,” said Braker. “It’s one less thing to worry about.”

- - -

Environment Canada issued this weather alert on Sunday night for Vancouver Island: Rain, at times heavy, is expected. The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall.

An intense Pacific frontal system will stall across northern Vancouver Island tonight and will remain in place on Monday. The front will bring copious rainfall to most central and northern Vancouver Island locations and is expected to last at least into Monday night and potentially through Tuesday as well.

The heaviest rainfall is expected northwest of Port Alberni where amounts will likely exceed 100 mm through Monday night and could eventually exceed 150 mm by the time the front finally moves off to the southeast on Tuesday.

Near Port Alberni lower amounts of 50 to 100 mm are expected but are still considered significant given the high river levels in the area following the recent heavy rains.

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

ldickson@timescolonist.com