A number of flood watches cover southwest B.C. as another storm system is set to impact the area on Tuesday, with forecasters predicting more than 250 millimetres of rain in some areas.
Thousands of British Columbians were battered by storms over the weekend, leading to numerous areas without power for multiple days as trees fell onto cars and power lines.
Though there was a slight reprieve in the rain for some areas on Monday, forecasters say they expect more rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, with more than 250 millimetres of rain possible locally, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
“A very robust frontal system is set to make landfall on Vancouver Island very early Tuesday morning. Rain, heavy at times, will persist until Wednesday morning,” reads an orange rainfall warning issued Monday for the west and central portions of the island.
“Even though the heaviest rain eases by Wednesday morning, moderate precipitation is expected to continue until Thursday morning.”
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In addition to the orange warning — which indicates widespread impacts — for much of Vancouver Island, yellow weather warnings are in place for Metro Vancouver’s North Shore, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast.
ECCC is predicting 150 to 200 millimetres of rain for west and central Vancouver Island, and up to 120 millimetres of rain on the North Shore.
The #BC River Forecast Centre has UPGRADED to a Flood Watch for the South Coast (including #HoweSound, North Shore Mountains, #SeatoSky), Northern, Western, Central & East #VancouverIsland, the Central Coast (Kingcome & surrounding areas) & Fraser Valley-North. Avoid fast rivers & potentially unstable riverbanks. Never drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings. More info: https://t.co/W87tVOtUlp #BCFlood
The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued flood watches for the South Coast, Vancouver Island and river basins in the Central Coast and Fraser Valley.
In the flood watch, the centre said that temperatures would be warm through Wednesday, which could mean snowmelt from shallow snowpacks at higher elevations.
“Heavy rain and high streamflow bring increased risk for unstable banks, river erosion, submerged roads, swift water hazards, flooding and landslides,” the flood watch states.
“Stay clear of the banks of swift running rivers and never drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings.”
As of Monday night, thousands of B.C. Hydro customers — especially in the Central Interior and northern Vancouver Island — remained without power after the weekend storms.
The utility said that restoration efforts were continuing, even as it monitored the additional weather systems expected to move through B.C. in the coming days.
This is where a power line used to be.
Reminder during #BCStorm: A downed, sagging, low-hanging or damaged power line is always an emergency. Stay back at least 10 metres (the length of a city bus) and call 911. Learn more: https://t.co/CEt5HXvd3F #CityofPG https://t.co/45MTitk5zT
“Access remains a challenge in some areas, with fallen trees, debris and soft ground conditions slowing repair efforts,” it said in a social media post.
Among the numerous areas in B.C. that have been without power for days is Zeballos on northwest Vancouver Island, where a number of properties are on evacuation order after a landslide last week.
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An orange rainfall warning is also in place for the Sea-to-Sky Highway, with ECCC saying up to 160 millimetres of rain is possible along the stretch and in the Howe Sound area.
A statement from the Road Safety at Work initiative recommended drivers check DriveBC for the latest updates and be prepared to drive for the conditions.
“You may not be able to see as far ahead, your tires have less grip, and you need more time and distance to stop safely,” Trace Acres, a spokesperson for the initiative, said.
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In Vancouver, police say a 78-year-old woman died after being hit by a car on Friday, around 11 a.m. PT at the intersection of Dunbar Street and West 34th Avenue.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said she was crossing the street on an unmarked crosswalk when she was hit by a Lexus sedan, whose driver is co-operating with investigators.
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The department is advising pedestrians to make themselves visible, and drivers to take extra care.
“We’re finding that as the evenings get longer … poor weather really reduces the visibility out there,” Sgt. Adam Donaldson said.
“For pedestrians and anybody on two wheels, it’s very difficult to see in the rain and in the dark.”
