Widespread flooding forced the evacuations of 300 homes and prompted emergency declarations in two southern Vancouver Island towns Friday.

The Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers in the City of Duncan and the District of North Cowichan spilled their banks in low-lying areas, putting homes and businesses in jeopardy. Two schools were  closed for the day.

In Pictures: Vancouver Island flooding

"This is the worst flooding I've seen in 20 years," North Cowichan public information officer Mark Rattan told ctvbc.ca.

Heavy rains over the past few days from a low pressure system sweeping across Vancouver Island saturated the ground to the point the ground can no longer drain, Rattan said.

"It's just terrible."

The B.C. Environment River Forecast Centre recorded a seven-year high water level for the Cowichan River early Friday morning, peaking at 3.385 metres around 5:30 a.m.

Work crews started sandbagging a large area to hold flood waters back from key roadways and homes, but many areas were already in rough shape.

Many Duncan homes and yards were underwater, with flood waters reaching a metre or more high in some areas.

Pieces of debris and yard equipment could be seen floating in yards and down residential streets.

Aerial footage from CTV's Chopper 9 showed a man rowing a small boat with two passengers through a residential neighbourhood at noon.

Evacuations

An evacuation order was in effect for parts of Beverly Street, all of Heather and Claire streets, as well as Campbell Street.

Evacuee Roma Nowicki grabbed her clothes and son's hockey equipment before leaving her Beverly Street home Friday morning.

"It's a little bit scary," she said.

Nowicki estimated her family will be out of their home for up to five days.

"It's pretty bad. It's been really good since they built that dike, but it's just too much rain and with the high tides it just doesn't look good here."

Tyson Thomas stayed up until 2 a.m. pumping cold and dirty water out of his house.

"Very muddy actually," he said. "About six inches. This is pretty bad."

So far, Tom Johnsen's house has remained above water. He's holding out hope that things won't get worse.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," he said. "But I've always wanted an indoor pool so maybe this is my big chance."

Residents were advised to leave their homes immediately. If there is time, officials said, windows and doors should be closed, and gas and electrical appliances shut down. People were advised not to use phones unless it was an emergency.

Residents in the Chesterfield region from the Sportplex to Beverly Street were also under an evacuation alert.

At least 10 roads were closed to traffic.

An emergency reception centre opened at the Island Savings Centre on Evans Street for evacuated residents.

More to come

The River Forecast Centre predicts the wet weather will clear overnight Friday, with showers resuming early Saturday morning.

Another frontal system is expected to move in early Monday morning, bringing in more rains to the already drenched area.

Heavy rain has plagued B.C.'s south coast for several days, prompting flood warnings in many Island areas.

The city of Courtenay in the Comox Valley declared a state of emergency Wednesday because of flooding. The order was rescinded after water levels lowered early Thursday.

For the latest information on area flooding click here

Financial aid

Meanwhile, the province announced Friday that it has approved disaster financial assistance to the Comox Valley Regional District, Nanaimo Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District and Strathcona Regional District.

To be eligible for assistance, the damage must be from an uninsurable event such as overland flooding, the province said. Snowload and wind damage are examples of insurable damage and therefore not eligible for DFA assistance.

Claim forms are available by clicking here