Rising water levels forced more than a dozen people out of their homes on the Tseshaht First Nation over the weekend.
Five properties were evacuated and 18 homes were placed on alert.
People with medical conditions, the elderly and kids were asked to leave as a precaution.
“Ambulances cannot go through flooded streets and driveways, so if people are medically fragile or compromised we have to get them out in case there’s a problem so they’re in a place where they’re going to be safe,” said Hugh Braker, with Tseshaht First Nation emergency operations.
Properties around Sproat Lake were also affected by flooding.
The region’s electoral director says she’s aware of at least five homes that flooded.
Terri St. Jacques is one of them, she says she’s watched the water rise around her home for the second year in a row.
She now has three pumps funneling the liquid out of her crawl space.
“It’s frustrating, it’s very emotional,” said St. Jacques. “I’ve been up all night making sure the pumps were working and right now we’re maintaining … it’s a nightmare again.”
Flooding could continue into Monday as another storm is expected to hit the region.
The City of Port Alberni has offered assistance to people in the Tseshaht First Nation and Sproat Lake.
