Flooding in North Cowichan - February 2020

February 2, 2020 4:00 pm - The evacuation order affecting a number of homes in Crofton and Chemainus has been lifted, but the local state of emergency remains in effect. More information on a resiliency centre and how best to return home after an evacuation can be found here.

February 2, 2020 11:30 am - All North Cowichan roads are open, except Canada Avenue. While water levels continue to recede, a local state of emergency is still in effect, as is the evacuation order for a number of homes in Crofton and Chemainus. While roads are open, residents are encouraged to exercise caution and only access roads if necessary. More information can be found here.

February 1, 2020 6:45 pm - All North Cowichan Roads are now open, except Canada Avenue. As the weather cools off, and the possibility of frost overnight arises, we ask that everyone drive carefully and exercise caution. While Westholme Road is currently open to traffic, it still has "road flooded" signs up and approximately 150 mml of rain has accumulated on the road. Please drive carefully and remember to slow down.

February 1, 2020 2:30 pm - The threat of further flooding is subsiding but Cowichan remains under a local state of emergency. Evacuees at the Reception Centre are being relocated to hotels. As a result, the Centre will be closing imminently. Should the need arise, a new centre will be re-opened. Road closures persist in North Cowichan, extra flaggers have been added at Lakes and Jaynes Road due to heavy traffic. An overflowing culvert has caused minimal flooding on Genoa Bay Road, flashers have been put up, and we ask residents and commuters on Genoa Bay Road to exercise caution and slow down. More information can be found here.

February 1, 2020 11:45 am - Water levels continue to recede, power outages persist, Highway 1 is open in both directions, but local roads remain closed in North Cowichan. More information can be found here.

For updates on power outages please check the BC Hydro Website.

February 1, 2020 10: 41 am - Highway 1 is now open in both directions

February 1, 2020 10:20 am - The following roads in North Cowichan remain closed:

Tzouhalem Road between Brier Street and Lakes Road

Mary Street between George Street and Canada Ave

Westholme Road around Westhill Place and Mount Sicker Road

Chemainus Road at Pinson's Corner

Canada Avenue

There are flaggers at Tzouhalem and Lakes Road, Tzouhalem and Brier, and Lakes at Jaynes Road

Art Mann Park Gate is also closed, as the park is flooded.

Our staff continue to monitor the need for a flood wall at the bottom of Lakes Road hill. You can check Drive BC for up to date road closure information. The Highway is still closed, but crews are working to get single lane traffic flowing in each direction. More information can be found here.

February 1, 2020 8:30 am - Due to severe rainfall and localized flooding many roads in North Cowichan have been closed and residents from Crofton have been evacuated. The Cowichan Valley Regional District has declared a state of emergency, more information can be found here, and the next update will be provided shortly after 9:00 am.

For more information:

Megan Jordan, Information Officer

250.709.5012

megan.jordan@northcowichan.ca

Back to top