The northern part of the hamlet of Ocean Falls is under an evacuation order, after recent storms created a serious risk of landslide.
The Central Coast Regional District declared a state of emergency yesterday, March 18, followed by an evacuation order for the northern part of town. There are no residents formally living in that section of the old mill town, but the district made the declaration to make sure no one is inadvertently left in harm’s way.
“The landslide hazard risk is a significant threat to the health, safety, and welfare of persons, such that an evacuation and controlling travel are necessary to minimize threats,” says a statement from the regional district.
The RCMP and Westcoast Marine Services are on scene to help with evacuation, if needed.
Yesterday, the district says, “qualified professionals from the Ministry of Forests conducted an aerial geotechnical assessment of the slopes and terrain surrounding Ocean Falls and Martin Valley… the assessment found that there was significant impact from the rain on snow event and high winds during the [March 15, 2026] atmospheric river.”
The weather prevented the team from looking more closely at Mount Caro Marion, but they were able to conclude that “the current landslide hazard is very high.”
Ocean Falls locals in need of more information can check the regional district’s website, there is a phone number to call if someone needs help evacuating the area. There is also information about local support services in Ocean Falls.
Visit the regional district’s Evacuation Order page for more details.
Leave a Reply