State Of Local Emergency Lifted As Geotechnical Assessment Concludes

The City of Campbell River has lifted the State of Local Emergency following a landslide that forced the evacuation of dozens of condo residents.

It happened on January 17th behind two properties on Island Highway South.

Within days of the slide, debris was removed from the site, building inspections were completed, and residents were permitted to return home. As part of the recovery process, the City engaged WSP Canada Inc. (WSP), a leading engineering consulting firm, to conduct a preliminary geotechnical assessment.

The assessment looked at immediate public safety and environmental considerations and focused on the safe return of evacuated residents to their homes, which was permitted on January 21st.

The findings from WSP highlight that natural groundwater can be observed coming from the location of the landslide and following a similar trajectory to that of the landslide debris.

The potential for further, smaller movements of the slope were identified, and short-term actions were recommended and implemented by the City to restrict slope access. The assessment also provides follow-up recommendations that the City will consider moving forward.

Throughout the event, 30 volunteers from Emergency Support Services and the Salvation Army contributed over 200 hours of volunteer time.

If you are willing to become a supplier or volunteer with the Strathcona Regional District Emergency Support Service program to help with short-term basic support, please contact preparedness@srd.ca.

You can find the report at CampbellRiver.ca.