Latest News

January 15, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Landslide Risk Warning

Qualicum Beach, BC – After two landslides on private property early this morning, the Town of Qualicum Beach is warning owners and residents of property located near steep slopes to watch for signs of possible slope failure.

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010, the home at 423 Seacrest Road was hit by a slide from the bank above, knocking it off its foundation.   Homes located at 423 and 433 Seacrest Road were evacuated.

A short time later, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Ocean Sands Condominium, 3156 Island Highway West, was affected by a small slide from the bank above.  There was some structural damage to the lower level of one end of the building.   The building was evacuated when the fire alarm malfunctioned due to a break in the electrical service.  Residents are now back in their units.

Emergency services responded to both events and report there were no injuries. 

We are informed that affected property owners are seeking site specific advice from Structural and Geotechnical Engineers.  These properties are located adjacent to over steepened banks along the waterfront areas in the community that are recognized, with the steep banks above the ravines cut by the two major streams within the Town, as Hazardous Slopes Development Permit areas in the Official Community Plan.   Town staff and the Town’s consulting geotechnical engineer visited today’s slide sites, to expand the knowledge gained from the previous failures that have occurred in the community in the past three decades.

Slope failure problems may be caused by any combination of water saturation and flow; weak earth materials; steep slopes; and poor vegetation management practices.  Slides are triggered most often after an extended period of heavy rainfall when the ground is extremely wet for a prolonged period of time.  We have experienced an extended rainfall since January 10^th, with 30 mm of rainfall in the final 24 hours of the storm event, peaking to an intensity of 6 mm/hour Thursday night and combined with high winds early Friday morning.

The maintenance and well-being of slopes on private property is the responsibility of the private property owner.  If you have any concerns or questions, consult a Professional Geotechnical Engineer or Geoscientist.  Owners of property near steep slopes are advised to:

• Conduct regular inspections of your property
• Avoid concentrating and discharging water onto a slope
• Capture and divert roof and pavement drainage away from steep slopes

Immediate signs of possible slope failure to watch for, may, without limitation, include the following:

• Rapid water or muddy flow, where it has not been observed before
• Cracking or falling trees, particularly in the absence of strong winds
• House cracks actively opening
• Walls or floors tilting
• Ground cracks opening or vertical displacement or slumping
• Any portion of the house, deck, retaining wall or vegetation falling away, leaning or rotating from normal condition

If you identify any of the above conditions, evacuate immediately and call 911.

- 30 -

Contact: M.D. (Mark) Brown, CAO, 250.752.6921