Heavy rains over the weekend caused Nanaimo’s rivers and streams to breach their banks over the weekend.
The rains caused mudslides and road washouts north of the city, but rising waters within the city limits also raised cause for concern.
Bill Sims, city director of engineering and public works, said in an e-mail Monday that city crews were out over the weekend dealing with high water levels in the Millstone River, Cat Stream and Chase River, especially in the low-lying areas of Jingle Pot and Cinnabar Valley.
“We ask that residents please drive with caution as there may be pooling water on the roads,” Sims said. “Use extreme caution when walking by open ditches and creeks and avoid walking close to rivers and high-flowing water courses.”
On Buttertubs Drive, residents kept watch on the Millstone River as it spilled over its banks Monday morning, threatening at least one home as its flowed across parking lots and lawns.
Ron Gueulette, Cranberry Volunteer Fire Department chief, said flood waters had made some roads in Extension impassable and Cranberry firefighters were helping Extension volunteer firefighters deliver sandbags to the area.
“I’m just at the hall right now delivering off sandbags,” Gueulette said Monday. “I think it’s a plugged culvert, but Godfrey Road is flooded … Scannel Road is flooded too. They’re both impassable, but I don’t think it’s bothering any structures right now.”
The city is offering free sandbags and sand at its public works yard, located at 2020 Labieux Rd. Residents are asked to bring there own shovels.