News Release - Highway 4 (Pacific Rim) Detour in Effect

Traffic on Highway 4 (Pacific Rim) is being rerouted due to flooding near Hector Road. A detour is in place via McCoy Lake Road, Stirling Arm Drive and Faber Road. Flaggers and detour signs are in place to direct traffic. Motorists should plan for approximately 10 - 20 minutes of additional travel time. Please check Drive BC for the latest updates: http://www.drivebc.ca/

The BC River Forecast Centre is maintaining a Flood Warning for the Sproat and Somass Rivers and the surrounding creeks and tributaries near Port Alberni.  A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bank-full or will exceed bank-full imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result. While flooding of some areas along the Somass and Sproat Rivers is occurring, major flooding is NOT expected in the City of Port Alberni at this time.

A Level 1 Emergency Operations Centre has been activated by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) to coordinate any emergency response.  The ACRD encourages all property owners adjacent to and in low lying areas to take appropriate measures to protect their property and to make an emergency plan in the event any possible flooding occurs.

Officials continue to monitor weather patterns and water levels of local rivers, creeks and lakes. Peak flow for the Somass River is estimated to be Wednesday evening, however another weather system is expected to approach the coast on Thursday. This system is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rainfall for Vancouver Island. Detailed weather outlooks for the next few days, provided by the Meteorological Service of Canada, can be accessed at the Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast. Weather alerts for the region can be accessed from Environment Canada Weather Alerts.

Residents that are in immediate danger and need emergency help are asked to call 911. To report potential problems or flooding:

• Residents of the City of Port Alberni should call the Engineering and Public Works Department at: 250-720-2840.
• Residents of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District should call the Emergency Program Office at 250-724-1356 or the Administrative Office at 250-720-2700, during regular office hours. To report flooded roads, road clearing and other road maintenance issues within the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, please contact EMCON at: 250-336-8897 (After hours: 1-866-353-3136).