Emergency operation centre opened in Nanaimo after flooding, landslide

Anemergency operation centre has openedin the Regional District of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island after alandslide occurred in Lantzville and flooding hitParksville and Whiskey Creek.

On Sunday night Nanaimo Search and Rescue responded to several emergencies caused by the extreme rainfall including a roadside rescue.

Lantzville Deputy Fire Chief John Marment saida woman had to be rescued after driving into a massive hole about ninemetres deep.

"I'm guessing that she was coming home and was just driving along what was left of the road there into the hole," he said.

"So she's very lucky because the car was shifting all the time, with the mudslide. Search and Rescue went in, and went down and pulled her out."

Nanaimo SAR also helped with the evacuation of Parry's RV Parkpark nearParksville.

Arrowsmith Search and Rescuepresident Nick Rivers said that around 25 people and 10 animalswere evacuated from Martindale Road.

Warnings issued

The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watchfor eastern Vancouver Island, and a flood warning forsouthern Vancouver Island.

Aspecial weather statementhas also been issued by Environment Canada for the Regional District of Nanaimo and other communities on East Vancouver Island.

"Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts," it read in part.

A rainfall warnings also remains in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

On the west side of Vancouver Island, Western Forest Products crews are clearing the company's logging road intoBamfield, theonly land access into the remote community onBarkleySound,after a slide this morning.

TheAlberni-ClayoqoutRegional District says theBamfieldMain is closed around the 73 kilometre mark,not far from PortAlberni.

With files from Emily Brass