Highway 4 west of Port Alberni is currently closed. A detour is in place on McCoy Lake Road/Stirling Arm/Faber Road due to flooding. Expect approximately 20 minute delays.
For up-to-date information, go to http://www.acrd.bc.ca/ the most recent press release is attached: ACRD press release –november-9-2016
Flood Warning: Somass River (Upgraded)
Flood Watch: Salmon River near Sayward (Upgraded)
Flood Watch: Central Vancouver Island (except the Somass River) (Maintained)
Flood Watch: Courtenay (Puntledge) Rivers (Maintained)
High Streamflow Advisory: East Vancouver Island (Downgraded)
High Streamflow Advisory: North Vancouver Island and West Vancouver Island (Maintained)
The River Forecast Centre is upgrading to a Flood Warning for:
- Somass River including the Sproat River and surrounding tributaries and creeks near Port Alberni,
The River Forecast Centre is upgrading to a Flood Watch for:
- Salmon River near Sayward
The River Forecast Centre is maintaining a Flood Watch for:
- Central Vancouver Island except for Port Alberni;
- Courtenay (Puntledge) Rivers
The River Forecast Centre is downgrading to a High Streamflow Advisory for:
- East Vancouver Island including the Browns River, Tsolum River, Oyster River, and surrounding unregulated streams in the Bowser, Courtenay and Campbell River areas
The River Forecast Centre is maintaining a High Streamflow Advisory for:
- West Vancouver Island including Tofino Creek, and surrounding creeks and tributaries
- North Vancouver Island including Zeballos River, Gold River, and surrounding creeks and tributaries
Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts an additional 52 mm of rainfall for Port Alberni, 35 mm for the Salmon River near Sayward and 10 – 30 mm for the rest of Vancouver Island for today. Detailed weather outlooks for the next few days, provided by the Meteorological Service of Canada, are accessed at the Avalanche Canada weather blog. Weather alerts for the region are accessed at the Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Alerts website.
Responding to these forecast additional rainfall amounts, the current river levels are expected to rise further tonight and peak tomorrow morning into tomorrow afternoon.
The Somass River continues to rise and Highway 4 along the Somass River in Port Alberni is currently reported as flooded as are low-lying areas adjacent to the river. It is expected that the Somass will continue to rise until tomorrow evening. The Salmon River near Sayward is currently rising rapidly. For the unregulated rivers on the rest of the Vancouver Island, the situation is stable and some of the river levels are receding. The rivers are expected to peak tonight or tomorrow morning with the additional forecast rainfall. A summary of the river conditions includes:
- Salmon River near Sayward (08HD006) is flowing at 1433 m3/s, which is between the 20-50 year return period flow, and is expected to peak tonight.
- The Sproat River near Port Alberni (08HB008) is recording a flow of 265 m3/s, however there may be a problem with the gauge. The Water Survey of Canada is attending to the gauge today.
- Ash River below Moran Creek (08HB023) is flowing at 221 m3/s, and will continue to increase overnight.
- The estimated flow in the Somass River near Port Alberni is approximately 640 m3/s.
- Courtenay River at 5th Street Bridge (08HB083) water levels of 3.648 m. The level is expected to fluctuate due to contributions from the Comox reservoir.
- Tsolum River near Courtenay (08HB011) is flowing at 130 m3/s, and will continue to recede.
- Oyster River (08HD011) is flowing at 160 m3/s, and is expected to peak tonight.
At this time, significant storm surges are not expected. However, tide levels are expected to increase later this week. Further details are available at the Storm Surge BC website.
The public is cautioned to stay clear of rivers during rain events due to quickly flowing water and potentially unstable riverbanks.
The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update on Wednesday.
A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.
A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.