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UPDATE: Evacuation orders rescinded in Qualicum Beach locations affected by flooding

Parksville RV Park order remains in place
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Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

UPDATE: Late Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 16) The Regional District of Nanaimo rescinded the evacuation orders for the following areas:

• 246 Riverbend Rd., 3506 Island Hwy West, Waters Road, RDN Electoral Area G.

• Portions of Wilkinson Road, Alice Road and Riverside Road, RDN Electoral Area A

“Rapid damage assessments have been completed in the above areas and with floodwaters receding, it has been deemed safe for residents to return to their homes,” read an RDN release. “Pooled water remains at 380 Martindale Rd., and a rapid damage assessment will be completed on Nov. 17 when safe to do so. A separate update will be issued for this area once the assessment is completed.”

Tyler Brown, RDN chair, said: “On behalf of the Regional District of Nanaimo, thank you to residents for their co-operation and patience as the RDN and partner agencies monitored, assessed and responded to flooding throughout the region. We extend our thoughts to all who have been impacted by the flooding and remind all to visit our website for important information on flood recovery and resources available.”

Original story:

Nearly 100 Parksville Qualicum Beach residents are dealing with the aftermath of massive Monday (Nov. 15) flooding that forced them from their homes.

At the Cedar Grove RV Park and Campground in Qualicum Beach, manager Helen Skow considered it fortunate that RVs and trailers were spared serious damage.

“Everybody’s trailers are fine,” said Skow, who co-manages the property with her husband. “There are no severe damages, just on the road. Not to the RVs.”

Skow said since they began working at the campground, located near the Little Qualicum River, they have never experienced this type of flooding.

“We have taken in water in the past but not as much as yesterday,” said Skow. “We had about 35 people and they were told to leave.”

The Dashwood Volunteeer Fire Department had its crews out to assist residents out of the trailer park.

The evacuees were taken to the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, where they are registered and provided at least 72 hours accommodation at area hotels. As of Tuesday morning, they were not allowed to return immediately, until the Regional District of Nanaimo officials assessed the damage and determined that it was safe.

READ MORE: Residents evacuated from Qualicum Beach, Parksville as flood waters rise

Pathfinder Camp Resorts (formerly Parry’s RV Park) on Martindale Road in Parksville, was also on recovery mode. The water has subsided and the officials were assessing the situation.

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue crews were deployed to the area to help the stranded residents. They evacuated 11 people, with seven of them extracted using a helicopter that was able to land on an area in the trailer park.

ASAR manager Ken Neden said the helicopter was needed due to the unusual high volume of water that the area was getting.

“It was a bit higher this year than previous times we’ve been there,” said Neden. “The concern was that the current was really strong.”

The RDN reported that on Monday during the flooding, 91 people in total were evacuated from areas close to the Englishman River and Little Qualicum River. In other areas, 14 people were evacuated from those residing near the Nanaimo River.

An update will be provided at the RDN website at rdn.bc.ca/emergency-alerts and via social media this afternoon.

The RDN emergency call centre is open Tuesday until 4:30 p.m. Anyone with questions regarding flooding in the region can call 250-390-0940.

Michael.Briones@pqbnews.com

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Michael Briones

About the Author: Michael Briones

I rejoined the PQB News team in April 2017 from the Comox Valley Echo, having previously covered sports for The NEWS in 1997.
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