Cowichan’s emergency systems passed with flying colours as civic and volunteer crews tackled Friday’s flooding disaster.

“As far as I’m concerned the system’s working,” said Chris Comars, Cowichan Search and Rescue’s manager of Friday’s operations that verified all SAR gear worked well.

“Everything went excellent. We had great cooperation from the municipalities and the public.”

SAR helped about 100 people “but we only actually evacuated four families.”

“I didn’t get any reports of people having any issues,” Comars said of his 17 members who visited 200-some homes and buildings handing folks evacuation orders.

“Everyone was really polite, there was no messenger shooting,” he said.

One SAR member noticed “a lot of scared, angry people” during the house-to-house evacuation that sent people to the emergency centre at the Island Savings Centre’s social lounge.

That’s where Beverly Street resident Stacy George and baby Charles headed when a foot of water swamped her home.

“I’m glad search and rescue got to us,” she said.

“I just grabbed what I could because we had water coming in so fast.”

But George was upset at the reception she got from Cowichan Tribes staff.

“You can’t just turn us away because we live off reserve; it doesn’t change that we’re Cowichan Tribes members.”

City Councillor Joe Thorne sympathized after patrolling the reserve area during the flooding disaster.

“I’ll request chief and council meet with the city to talk about a long-term (emergency) plan and who should help who,” he said.

Thorne noted one man refused to leave his home.

“Possessions can be replaced.

“This was a major emergency and as a councillor I felt valuable today,” said Thorne, citing his people’s notion of ‘nuts-omus’ or helping each other.

“I’m amazed how everyone’s coming together.”

So was ISC boss John Elzinga.

“Everything from our side went really well.

“Basically staff here converted their duties (to emergency mode),” he said.

North Cowichan Mayor Tom Walker praised everyone for pulling together.

“This flooding is occurring right on the junction of Cowichan Tribes (land), Duncan and North Cowichan and we’ve forgotten the boundaries.

“We’ll deal with them later because there’s only one issue and that’s the flooding,” he said at Friday afternoon’s press conference.

Over on Marchmont Street, residents were both upset and happy with how city works crews responded.

Nick Margetts chided works staff for not quickly delivering sand and sandbags while he yanked a storm drain open himself to let water escape.

“They said ‘You’re on your own,’” he said.

But across the street, Stefan Quaglia said works crews acting promptly.

“The city guys brought us all the sandbags and sand we could handle. Now it’s up to Mother Nature.”

Neighbour Brian Boles agreed.

“The city’s been busy too so you can't blame them.”

However, Margetts did praise MLA Doug Routley for helping with sandbag duty.

“I can't be more impressed. He rolled up his sleeves and helped out.”

Meanwhile, Comars and his SAR crew were on standby Friday night waiting for nature’s next move.

“Our task has been suspended but not turned off yet.

“I moved here in ‘94 and I’ve never seen any formal evacuations, especially this early in the season.”