WATCH: Powerful winds and rain continue to pound the Alberni Valley as a huge storm downed trees and power lines and flooded Tseshaht First Nation.
With rising river levels and high winds, the Tseshaht First Nation in the Alberni Valley has activated its Emergency Operations Centre.
Officials say evacuations will begin Thursday afternoon.
@Tseshaht is activating State of Emergency in wake of #BCStorm @CHEK_News Evacuations to begin this afternoon amid rising rivers & wind. pic.twitter.com/XucLPy0ry9
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) December 20, 2018
On Facebook, the First Nation said it has been contacted by the B.C. River Forecast Centre projecting water levels to rise until Friday morning.
#BCstorm has caused Somass River to flood banks on @Tseshaht in #Alberni Residents now waiting to see if evacuations follow @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/XsDG28ynlX
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) December 20, 2018
The post added properties may need to be evacuated in advance of potential flooding on roadways.
More than 30 homes in the four subdivisions of the Tseshaht First Nation are cut off to local roads because of downed trees and power lines.
Over 30 homes on @Tseshaht are cut off, trapped behind downed power lines @bchydro @CHEK_News due to #BCstorm pic.twitter.com/ZYyEGvfR2I
— Skye Ryan (@SkyeRyanCHEK) December 20, 2018
Tseshaht First Nation asks residents to avoid Hector Road, Saiyatchapis Road and Watty’s Road on the reserve because of electrical wires across the roads.
Port Alberni fire crews are attending and officials expect it will be some time before roads are clear.
The river forecast centre issued a high streamflow advisory Tuesday for west, central, east and southern Vancouver Island because of heavy rainfall, and peak levels are expected Thursday or Friday.
Thursday’s storm has caused plenty of damage in the Alberni Valley, with nearly 4,000 BC Hydro customers without power as of 11:20 a.m.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for all of Vancouver Island Thursday, adding the north Island region just after 11 a.m.
Strong winds of 70 to 90 kilometres-per-hour are blowing over the Island, with wind gusts expected to reach 100 km/h.
The weather service advises residents the windstorm could cause widespread damage.
The Tseshaht First Nation says on Facebook it is considering to declare a local state of emergency as the Somass River started flooding its banks Thursday morning.
CHEK News
