Tseshaht First Nation staff is working into the evening preparing for yet more rain. The Somass River, which has surrounded a number of properties on the reserve, is fast moving, swollen and ready to burst its banks.
“The Somass River is full. There is no capacity for the river or the lakes to hold more water,” Tseshaht Councillor Hugh Braker wrote on Facebook.
Tseshaht is hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, said Braker, the nation’semergency coordinator. He has been battling the floodwaters with a sandbagging effort that started last week. Braker is eyeing the forecast for the coming days and at the ready to evacuate people from their homes.
Tseshaht is a family-based community, so that’s an added dimension to his burden as he watches his relatives’ anxiety.
The nation hosted the Minister of state for emergency preparedness Naomi Yamamoto earlier today. Port Alberni and Tofino Mayors Mike Ruttan and Josie Osbourne accompanied the minister’s group.
“This evening it will start to rain again,” Braker said, growing heavy on Friday afternoon (Nov. 11) and through tomorrow night.
Port Alberni will receive 50 to 80 mm of rain (two to three inches), but the mountains around Port Alberni, Sproat Lake, Great Central Lake and Elsie Lake, will receive up to 250mm.
“THIS FLOOD EMERGENCY IS NOT OVER. In addition to the storm predicted for tonight and tomorrow, there is the STRONG PROBABILITY of another 'pineapple express' starting on Sunday and continuing until Tuesday. Tseshaht is facing a very serious situation.”
Braker said to expect bigger and longer road closures on Hector Road, McCoy Lake Road and Pacific Rim Highway. Expect longer boil water advisories in the Hector Road and Lower Watty's Hill areas.
He said the Emergency Operations Centre will remain open at the band office through the weekend.
