Vancouver Island flooding: State of local emergency ends in Cowichan Valley
The Cowichan Valley Regional District rescinded its state of local emergency declaration Tuesday, three weeks after destructive flooding prompted the emergency order.
The CVRD says rainfall and river flows have subsided enough to cancel the declaration, which covered the City of Duncan, the Municipality of North Cowichan, the Halalt First Nation, the Penelakut Tribe and the Cowichan Tribes.
The emergency was declared on Nov. 15 as the regional district determined that rising floodwaters posed "an existing or imminent threat to people and property" and required immediate action from local governments.
“We are very fortunate to be able to cancel our state of local emergency, although many residents are still reeling from the impact of this flooding event,” said CVRD chair Lori Iannidinardo in a statement Tuesday.
“Sincere thanks to all the external agencies that lent a hand over the last couple weeks, particularly the Strathcona Regional District who deployed their staff last month to assist in response efforts," Iannidinardo added.
The regional district urges residents who incurred flood damage on their properties to contact their insurance providers or seek disaster financial assistance from the province.
Residents who are concerned about mold or lingering air-quality issues are advised to contact HealthLinkBC by calling 811.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.