Twelve homes had to be evacuated after a water main break sent large amounts of water gushing onto a highway in Saanich.
The break involving a 12-inch supply main carrying high pressure water created a large sinkhole at the intersection of Burnside and Wilkinson Rd.
Saanich police were notified of the sinkhole shortly after 6 a.m. this morning.
They were also advised of a vehicle that rolled over on the Trans Canada Highway between Tillicum and Helmecken Rd. because of the flooding.
“It appears as though one vehicle travelling southbound at the time did not see the water in time and it caused that individual to lose control over their vehicle resulting in the vehicle rolling over,” says Sgt. Steve Eassie with Saanich police.
The female driver was not seriously hurt.
No other injuries were reported.
Approximately 40 homes near Burnside, Cardie Crt and Belgrade lost fresh water access and four homes went without power.
WATCH: Some residents took to the streets to document the extent of the damage
Traffic in the area was severely disrupted.
Resident Gord Watson says this morning his wife put her foot on the floor to find it was ankle deep in the water.
“It is shocking and horrifying,” says Watson. “At least we are insured, but we have lost a lot of stuff.”
Another resident, Jeffrey Stephen, says he was awoken by a loud bang around 6 o’clock this morning.
“I looked outside and it sounded as though I was in a torrential downpour. I went into the front yard and it turned out my house was now a lake,” says Stephen.
He says the torrent of water filling up his yard was so fast that the water blew out his garage door.
“We lost so much,” said Stephen, fighting back the tears. His family heirlooms that were in the house are now all gone. “I don’t know what to do. The place will be unlivable for a while.”
Emergency Social Services set up a comfort centre at St. Joseph’s church for anyone affected by the water main burst, but it has now been stood down.
Saanich mayor Frank Leonard told Global News this morning there is significant flooding in the immediate neighbourhood and the area has been contained for public safety.
Leonard says the water main that broke is a major regional underground water line.
He says the next step will involve restoring the water supply to the homes affected.
WATCH: Saanich mayor with the latest on the water main break
“We had an almost instantaneous flooding in the area and significant damage to road infrastructure,” says Ted Robins with Integrated Water Service for the Capital Regional District.
He says there will be a significant cost associated with the repairs.
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