Road closures continue today due to flooding from Thursday’s rainstorm.
Finlayson Arm Road has been closed, with barricades in place at the bridge off the Trans-Canada Highway and at Mary’s Farm and Sanctuary.
Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Road has also been closed, due to flooding between Deloume and Cameron Taggart roads, while Stewart Road on Salt Spring Island is closed due to a washout.
Advisory for #GulfIslands : Stewart Road on #SaltSpringIsland is CLOSED in both directions at the 200 block due to a mudslide. Please check @DriveBC_VI @DriveBC for the latest conditions & report any issues to our 24 hour hotline. #BCStorm @cfax1070 @TheZone913 @TheQdotFM pic.twitter.com/vzyVuTllGe
— MainroadSouthIsland (@MainroadSIsland) January 4, 2019
Pacific Marine Road remains closed in both directions.
Pacific Marine Drive is CLOSED at #FairyLake due to flooding, north of #PortRenfrew on #VancouverIsland. Check for updates: https://t.co/kSjcJDSg0y
— DriveBC VI (@DriveBC_VI) January 3, 2019
Other than that, Chris Cowley, operations manager for Mainroad South Island Contracting, said there’s localized flooding in some areas but nothing impeding traffic flow.
Despite a lot of storm preparation, Cowley said, some culverts were overwhelmed. Mainroad was able to handle the call volume Thursday, he said.
“There’s some pooling here and there, so approach conditions with a bit of caution, but the major routes are all open and there’s no issues,” said Cowley, looking out his office window at a rainbow and sun rays.
In Greater Victoria, high water had been reported on the Lochside Trial.
High water levels have been reported on the portion of the Lochside Trail between Lohbrunner Road and the Blenkinsop Trestle. Cyclists and walkers are advised to use caution. #yyjbike #crdparks
— CRD (@crd_bc) January 5, 2019
Environment Canada said Wednesday that western Vancouver Island was expected to receive more than 150 mm of rain, while inland areas were expected to get more than 100 mm — Victoria saw 48.2 millimetres fall on Thursday, according to the weather service.
You've seen the storm totals, but did you know we also BROKE DAILY RECORDS with that last #BCstorm system? Several Daily records for most snow and most precipitation shattered on Jan 2nd and 3rd. #Ucluelet established a new RAINIEST DAY EVER with 214.2 mm ! #bcWX #BCrain #BCsnow pic.twitter.com/2vzqeHpZmH
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) January 4, 2019
Washouts and localized flooding were predicted, but heavy rainfall also resulted in a boil-water notice in the Comox Valley, issued by the Comox Valley Regional District in conjunction with Island Health on Thursday. The rain raised turbidity levels — caused by an increase in suspended solids — at a backup pump station to unacceptable levels.
The boil-water notice came despite new ultraviolet treatment installed in 2018.
The notice instructs people to put drinking water through a one-minute rolling boil. Affected locations include the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox and the England Road water-service area. Unaffected are Cumberland, Royston or anyone connected to the Black Creek-Oyster Bay water-supply system.
