Rivers in the region, including both the Englishman in Parksville and the Nanaimo River (pictured here) are at or over capacity due to heavy rain over recent days. (Image Credit: North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department)

By Alex Rawnsley

heavy rain

Flood warning in place as Pacific system dumps considerable rainfall on mid-Island

Jan 12, 2026 | 9:44 AM

NANAIMO — A flood warning was updated early Monday morning for the Englishman River system in Parksville, as a result of a weekend’s worth of heavy rain.

While exact measurements vary wildly across the region, both community-run and Environment Canada weather stations in the region recorded between 60 and 100 millimetres of rain falling on the Nanaimo-Oceanside-Bowser area beginning Friday, Jan. 9 and continuing into Monday, Jan. 12.

It prompted the B.C. River Forecast Centre to issue a flood warning for the Englishman River, near Parksville, advising “river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.”

“Localized high flows are expected due to heavy rainfall rates and rain-on-snow melt runoff throughout the coastal region,” the warning reads. “Peak river levels are expected through Monday on Vancouver Island and the South Coast. Current flows on the Englishman River have reached or exceeded flood level.”

Flood warning and watches are in place for much of Vancouver Island, including the Englishman River system in Parksville, as a result of heavy rainfall over recent days. (Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

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Flood watches were also issued for surrounding areas of eastern Vancouver Island, suggesting levels may continue to rise.

Discharge and water levels measured in multiple local river systems suggest current stream flows and levels are of a level only seen every two to five years.

Nile Creek, near Bowser, is seeing a 20 to 50 year return level as of Monday morning, while Nanaimo’s Millstone River has flows typically seen every one to two years.

Late Monday, the Regional District of Nanaimo issued an evacuation order for Pathfinder Resort off Martindale Rd. in Parksville, instructing residents to leave immediately.

The property is on the banks of the Englishman River, south of the Island Hwy. East.

Rain is expected to continue through much of Monday.

A yellow alert for rainfall, issued by Environment Canada overnight, for areas north of Nanaimo said upwards of 75 millimetres of rain is expected by the lunch hour.

Similar warnings are in place for around Port Alberni, with 120 to 140 millimetres of rain expected, while upwards of 250 millimetres of rain is forecast for part of the Island’s west coast.

Meteorologist Derek Lee told NanaimoNewsNOW said even though much of the precipitation has already fallen, risks downstream still exist.

“It doesn’t mean that the flood risks are over, just because there is usually a delay in the river system, so I think we would all have to keep monitoring. But luckily, I think the pattern for each Vancouver Island is looking to be a little bit more positive.”

While sunshine is in the long-term forecast, the result of a “less active pattern” according to Lee, the absence of rainfall could cause some morning commute headaches.

“There will be a ridge of high pressure coming in place, and then that actually acts as a cap to the area. There might be a cap on all the moisture that has fallen, so that would lead to a prolonged fog or low cloud event if it does occur.”

With the clearer skies, overnight lows are forecast to dip closer to freezing by mid-week.

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