Large volumes of rain falling in the last 24 to 48 hours led to a road giving way near Ninth St. and Bruce Ave. early Monday morning. Areas around the site were closed with several streets and highways in Nanaimo affected by excessive rain. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

BIG STORM

Washed out roads, highway flooding caused by extensive rain

Nov 15, 2021 | 9:13 AM

NANAIMO — A major storm, coined an “atmospheric river” by meteorologists is rushing its way through the central Island.

The monitoring station at Nanaimo Airport recorded 47.4 millimetres of rain on Saturday, Nov. 13 which was the largest single-day rainfall of the year to date. In parts of Nanaimo, rain only fell in the afternoon, with much more falling Sunday and early Monday.

Specific data from Sunday is not currently available however a rainfall warning from Environment Canada suggests parts of eastern Vancouver Island can expect between 100 and 180 millimetres of precipitation by the end of the day.

“We are expecting the continued rain today…ending in the afternoon or tapering off as the system moves south,” Armel Castellan, Environment Canada meteorologist said. “Behind that is a very sharp cold front with winds 70 kilometres per hour, gusting to 90 kilometres per hour from the northwest close to the Salish Sea are expected.”

Winds at those speeds are considered especially damaging after record droughts and recent heavy rains have made large trees and the ground more susceptible to toppling or washing out.

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Castellan added many communities saw well above 200 per cent of their normal precipitation through September and October, with more on the way.

“We’re seeing what has fallen in the last 24 to 36 hours as being equivalent and surpassing some monthly November statistics for some locations, which is saying a lot considering November is our wettest month.”

The City of Nanaimo reported early on Monday a road washout had occurred in Harewood, with crews on site looking to correct the issue.

Workers on site told NanaimoNewsNOW a roadside ditch was filled with gravel but drains were plugged overnight with water flooding over the site and opening up the area.
An excavator was partially toppled into the ditch as a result of the washout, however the incident occurred over night and no workers were injured.

Portions of Bruce Ave. remain closed Monday morning as a result of overnight flooding. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Excessive water also forced a closure of Bruce Ave. near Weeks Cres., with crews on scene telling NanaimoNewsNOW the road was a river overnight.

Similar flooding and road closures took place throughout the city, including Wakesiah Ave., Biggs Rd. and Pine St.

The public works yard at 2020 Labieux Rd. is open and providing sand and empty sandbags for residents.

A release from the City noted between 125 to 150 millimetres of rain had fallen in the region over the last three days with 280 total millimetres recorded in Nanaimo through the first half of November.

Several cars chanced crossing flood waters, approximately three to four inches above the road surface along the north end of Jingle Pot Rd. Monday afternoon. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Drive BC also warned of flooded parts of the Island Hwy. through Nanaimo and Hwy. 1 between Departure Bay ferry terminal and Chemainus.

Southbound traffic on Hwy. 1 was shut down after 8 a.m. due to flooding on the highway between Ladysmith and Chemainus. The closure was later extended to both directions of the highway.

The Regional District also warned of flooding rivers during this surge in precipitation.

A flood warning is in effect for the Englishman River basin, while the Nanaimo River and south area is under a high streamflow advisory or flood watch.

Several more serious incidents have occurred in the B.C. Interior, including closures of highways and limited access into some smaller towns.

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