Stranded people, sheep rescued amid rising floodwaters on Vancouver Island

Crews helped people and livestock to safety during flooding in the Comox Valley on Friday.

There were tense moments Friday on eastern Vancouver Island as rising floodwaters left some Comox Valley residents stranded—until rescue crews arrived to transport them to safety.

The effort also saw volunteers from Comox Valley Search and Rescue carry four sheep through waist-high floodwaters.

“First time for sheep,” search manager Paul Berry said of the operation. “We’ve had a couple horses and certainly lots of dog rescues, but first time for sheep.”

Crews were dispatched to help homeowners along Headquarters Road amid conditions that prompted flood warnings and a local state of emergency in the area.

Cara Tilston, owner of the sheep and a dog that was rescued, was overcome with gratitude after reaching dry land.

“Oh my God, they just saved my life, my dog’s life, my sheep’s life,” Tilston said.

Tilston said she’s lived in the area for 15 years and seen “a lot of floods,” but none as intense as the one she experienced Friday.

“I’ve never seen it not start to go down,” she said. “It just kept rising and rising and rising.”

Comox Search and Rescue said members were also called to downtown Courtenay on Friday with reports that someone went into the Puntledge River, but did not have an update on that effort.

The Comox Valley Regional District, in collaboration with the City of Courtenay and the K’ómoks First Nation, declared a local state of emergency early Friday afternoon, citing “rising waters, flooding and the risk to property.”

“Residents are encouraged to follow directions of emergency service personnel and obey all road and trail closures,” reads a notice on the district’s website. “Please stay away from water bodies, waterways and low-lying areas.”

A flood warning has been issued for Dove Creek and nearby areas, and locals have been warned that high river flows are expected “across the coastal region” over the coming days due to a mix of heavy rain and snowmelt.

In the meantime, officials urged anyone in immediate danger to call 911.