South Island Crews Tackle Overnight Flooding Emergencies

Heavy rain struck the South Island region on the evening of December 17, 2025, leading to significant flooding and a surge in service calls for local Public Works departments. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, approximately 32.9 millimeters of rain fell in Victoria, surpassing the previous downpour of 32 millimeters recorded on December 10. The concentrated rainfall triggered road closures, system breaks, and a series of emergency responses from various local governments.

The City of Victoria’s crews remained busy throughout the night, addressing over 50 after-hours calls, as detailed by city spokesperson Colleen Mycroft. Mycroft reported that crews responded to a variety of issues, including flooding, downed trees, and main breaks. In response to the flooding, the city closed the Banfield Park playground and worked to pump excess water from the nearby Vic West skate park.

In addition to Victoria, the District of Saanich also mobilized its Public Works teams to manage road safety and assist residents affected by the weather conditions. Between 7 p.m. and midnight, Saanich received 81 service calls related to the heavy rain. The district’s efforts involved multiple crews addressing overland flooding by clearing drains and deploying sandbags. Two sewer lift crews worked to prevent sewage overflows by implementing bypass pumping.

In particular, road closures were enacted in areas where natural drainage systems overflowed. Key intersections affected included Haultain at Bowker Creek and Blenkinsop at Big Barn Creek. The swift actions taken by Saanich crews helped prevent further environmental damage and minimized risks to public safety.

As efforts continued on Wednesday, crews focused on completing remaining service requests and assessing damages. With more rain expected on Thursday, Saanich officials urged residents to take preventative measures by clearing eavestroughs, downspouts, and catch basins of leaves and debris that could impede drainage.

Residents witnessing flooding on the roads were encouraged to notify Saanich by calling 250-475-5599 or submitting reports online at saanich.ca/report. The forecast indicated that rain is likely for the next five days in Victoria, with Environment Canada predicting clouds and a 40 percent chance of rain on Thursday morning, likely transitioning to showers in the afternoon. Additionally, southwest winds could reach speeds of 80 km/h later in the day.

As the South Island battles the impacts of this severe weather, the collaboration among local agencies highlights the importance of prompt response to flooding emergencies.