Wednesday, November 24, 2021, 1:45pm – Vehicle access to Sooke Potholes Regional Park at CRD gate entry is temporarily closed due to anticipated high water levels. The gate will reopen when conditions allow. More >>
Sandbag Station Open Wednesday & Thursday; Sooke Potholes Closed Thursday
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 – The District is taking proactive measures to support public safety in advance of another weather event set to arrive overnight on Wednesday, November 24th and continue until mid-day on Thursday, November 25th.
Overnight and into Thursday morning, 40-60 millimetres of rain is anticipated in the Sooke region as another atmospheric river approaches British Columbia. As a result of the expected rainfall and the Sooke Lake Reservoir nearing capacity, the Sooke Potholes will remain closed on Thursday, November 25th until the water levels recede and a site inspection can be completed to ensure public safety. Re-opening of the Potholes will be shared through the District’s website and Twitter page.
By comparison, the weather event on Monday, November 15th, 2021 saw approximately 80 millimetres of rainfall in Sooke. While it is anticipated this will be a lesser event, the District is increasing measures to support the community and ensure public safety. In advance of this next weather event, the District is once again asking for public assistance to clear catch basins and check culverts in front of your home to ensure water can appropriately drain.
This District of Sooke’s Sandbag Station will be open on Wednesday and Thursday, November 24th and 25 th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The sandbag station is located at the Parks Works Yard at 2070 Kaltasin Road. Bags and sand are available for residents to fill their own sandbags. Residents are reminded to please bring their own shovel.
With a particularly wet fall and winter in the forecast, the public is advised 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.
Conditions can change quickly during weather events. Updates will be shared, as available, through the District website at sooke.ca/news. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the District’s Emergency Notification System to receive Sooke-specific emergency-related public alert notifications by phone, text, email or through the mobile application.
How you can 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
- 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
Resources available to help you prepare:
- Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag
- Flood Preparedness Guide
- Power outages
- District of Sooke Emergency Planning Information Page
Local emergency information sources:
- District of Sooke Twitter Channel: twitter.com/SookeCa
- The Sooke Fire Rescue Dept. Facebook Page: facebook.com/SookeFireRescue/
- The Sooke ESS Facebook Page: facebook.com/SookeEmergencySupportServices/
- District of Sooke website: sooke.ca
- Emergency Info BC: emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
Community Contact:
District of Sooke Reception
Tel: 250.642.1634
Media Contact:
Matt Barney, District of Sooke Emergency Operations Centre Director and Deputy Fire Chief
District of Sooke
2225 Otter Point Road
Tel: (250) 642-5422
Email: mbarney@sooke.ca