Tuesday, November 7, 2023 – As we enter the rainy season, the public is reminded to use caution around rivers and waterways, stay clear of potentially unstable riverbanks, and respect park and trail closures that are issued for public safety with special notices in effect for several of our local parks and trails.
Sooke Potholes Gateway
In the event of inclement weather and/or high water, the gate on Sooke River Road leading into the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park parking lot may be closed. During closures to vehicle traffic, park access may remain open and accessible by the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Please check sooke.ca/news for updates.
Sunriver Nature Trail
Expect muddy conditions, uneven surfaces and possible trail closures throughout the season.
Whiffin Spit
Generally, the public should expect this trail to function as a nature trail from November to March. While best efforts will be made to tend to the trail throughout the season, where maintenance requires the mobilization of large equipment, some work may not be completed until early spring.
Additional seasonal resources
Community Sandbag Station
The community sandbag station is located at Ed Macgregor Parking lot, 6752 West Coast Road. It is self-serve, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with sand and bags provided by the District and Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags and are encouraged to take only enough to meet their needs so that supplies are available for others.
Seasonal Emergency Preparedness
Winter weather can impact you in different ways. From power outages to increased rainfall and potentially snow and ice to flooding, prepare your household:
- Build an emergency kit and grab and go bag
- Get prepared for a power outage
- Severe Winter Weather and Storm Preparedness Guide
- Flood Preparedness Guide
How can you help during increased rainfall weather events?
- Clear catch basins in front of your home
- Check culverts in front of your home and clear them, if needed
- Check on your neighbours
- When a high rainfall warning is in effect, minimize driving (if possible), to lessen the possibility of emergency resources being diverted
- If reporting rising waters in culverts and/or concerns of flooding in Sooke, take a video and email it to the District at engineering[at]sooke.ca
Local emergency information sources
- District of Sooke Twitter Channel: https://twitter.com/SookeCa
- The Sooke Fire Rescue Dept. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SookeFireRescue/
- The Sooke ESS Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SookeEmergencySupportServices/
- District of Sooke website: https://sooke.ca/
- Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/