A detour around Highway 18 due to a mudslide.
Highway 18 near Lake Cowichan has reopened after a mudslide forced its closure Thursday afternoon.
At around 2:30 p.m., Mainroad said the highway was closed in both directions due to the mudslide six kilometres east of Lake Cowichan. There was a detour in place on Cowichan Lake Road but the highway reopened just before 4:30 p.m.
Drive BC is also warning drivers about one instance of flooding due to the heavy rain.
One kilometre north of Port Renfrew, Pacific Marine Road is closed in both directions due to flooding between Fairy Road and Fairy Lake. A detour is in effect.
Pacific Marine Drive is CLOSED at #FairyLake due to flooding, north of #PortRenfrew on #VancouverIsland. Check for updates: https://t.co/kSjcJDSg0y
— DriveBC VI (@DriveBC_VI) January 3, 2019
Earlier Thursday, the Dashwood Fire Department posted on social media that three inches of water was covering the road in the 5100-block of Highway 19A.
3” of water over the road at the 5100 block of Hwy 19a slow down. @MainroadMIsland @DriveBC_VI pic.twitter.com/wYAiU5IBgs
— Dashwood Fire Department (@Dashwood6) January 3, 2019
The fire department also has video of the high water levels as seen from the Little Qualicum River Bridge on Highway 19A
1515 hrs at the Little Qualicum River Bridge on Hwy 19a. Water levels remain high but not covering the highway. #BCStorm @MainroadMIsland @DriveBC_VI @CHEK_News @CTVNewsVI pic.twitter.com/OmxXmA4h3x
— Dashwood Fire Department (@Dashwood6) January 3, 2019
Another update. #BCStorm @CTVNewsVI @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/3Ffx5xi3kG
— Dashwood Fire Department (@Dashwood6) January 3, 2019
East Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria, west Vancouver Island and inland Vancouver Island are all under a rainfall warning as a Pacific frontal system that stalled over the south coast drifts south. Rain is beginning to ease over central parts of Vancouver Island, like Tofino and Port Alberni, but will remain heavy over southern areas. Rain is expected to continue tonight.
CHEK News
