The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has extended its state of local emergency for a second time.
On Monday, Nov. 29, the SCRD announced the emergency operations centre (EOC) would continue to respond to water and flood-related issues for a third consecutive week, until midnight Dec. 6.
The EOC was originally activated on Nov. 15, when an atmospheric river event brought heavy rains and local flooding to south coast B.C. By Nov. 30, the third atmospheric river event in less than a week was expected to hit the Sunshine Coast, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and Whistler.
Environment Canada issued a special weather alert for Tuesday, Nov. 30, for a prolonged period of heavy rain between 50 to 100 millimetres that was expected to continue into the next day.
The storm will also bring strong southeasterly winds with gusts up to 60 kilometres per hour near the Strait of Georgia, and thawing snow at higher elevations could also contribute to localized flooding.
A “king tide” of up to 5.1 metres (16.7 feet) is also expected on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada tide charts.
In the meantime, the SCRD is advising residents to ensure drainage around their homes and culverts is sufficient.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is responsible for road repair and maintenance, and has advised the SCRD of three road closures on Monday, Nov. 29.
A section of Redrooffs Road was closed again at Cove Bay, where crews were working. A detour through BC Parks is available until work at Beach Avenue at Margaret is complete. Repairs are also underway for Lower Road at Stephens Road, and an estimated re-opening was not provided.
The Canadian Armed Forces is involved in assessing and surveying the region, and may be seen on the Coast.
Transit
Halfmoon Bay’s Route 4 is currently only operating busses on Mason Road, and has suspended service on Highway 101 and Redrooffs until further notice. Service on this route was impacted on Sunday and Monday.
Recycling
Transportation to recycling facilities has been affected by flooding off-Coast, so on-Coast facilities are not able to accept mattresses, glass or styrofoam. Residents are asked to hold onto these items until the contractors are able to accept them once more.
Parks
Park closures remain in place for Cliff Gilker Park, Chaster House and Chaster Park.
