Residents facing more problems near Port Alberni

Nov 10, 2016 | 5:47 AM

PORT ALBERNI — For the first time in days, single lane traffic is moving on Highway 4, just west of Port Alberni as levels of the Somass River receded overnight — but more flooding is possible as another rain storm is due to hit.
   Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for north, central and western Vancouver Island, warning that 100 millimetres of rain — 150 millimetres at higher elevations — will deluge the area starting later today and continuing through Friday.

    Eleven homes on the Tseshaht  First Nation, west of Port Alberni, remain evacuated because of flooding along the Somass, and an evacuation alert was also issued yesterday for homes along the Lillooet River near Pemberton.
    Heavy rain, coupled with warm temperatures and rapid snow melt, caused flooding along the Lillooet River, while a flood watch was issued for the Squamish River near Brackendale — but a break in the rain means water levels have dropped in advance of the next storm.