VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / MENA Newswire / – The Village of Pemberton has issued an evacuation alert as another storm system brought heavy rain to southwest British Columbia on Tuesday. The alert, issued at 4:15 p.m. PT, covers multiple properties along Airport Road. Village officials said high river flows and significant precipitation could lead to flooding. Several flood watches are in place across the region. Forecasters say more than 250 millimetres of rain could fall in some areas.
The latest system arrives after weekend storms battered thousands of British Columbians. Trees fell onto cars and power lines, leaving several areas without electricity for days. Residents under an evacuation alert must be prepared to leave on short notice. Pemberton has set up a self-serve sandbag station at its municipal hall parking lot. On Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued a traffic advisory warning of possible flooding on South Coast highways.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has posted six orange weather warnings, which point to widespread impacts. They cover much of Vancouver Island, the Interior and northern regions of the province. Forecasters expect strong winds in the Chilcotin and around Prince George. Heavy rain is forecast for inland Vancouver Island and Howe Sound. The federal agency also flagged a snow risk for Metro Vancouver in March, as winter conditions gripped the region.
Rainfall totals could top 250 millimetres
Environment Canada expects 150 to 200 millimetres of rain on west and central Vancouver Island. The North Shore could see up to 120 millimetres. Totals in some parts of those regions may go beyond 250 millimetres. The agency has also issued 10 yellow warnings for wind and rain covering much of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Interior and northern B.C. 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.
The centre said warm temperatures through Wednesday could melt shallow snowpacks at higher elevations, adding to river flows. Its flood watch warned of unstable banks, river erosion, submerged roads, swift water hazards, flooding and landslides. People were urged to keep away from the banks of swift-running rivers. The centre said drivers should never cross flooded roads, bridges or river crossings. The province faced similar risks when it braced for more rain after major flooding last December.
Thousands still without power after weekend storms
Thousands of B.C. Hydro customers were still without power on Monday night, mainly in the Central Interior and on northern Vancouver Island. The utility said crews were continuing restoration while watching the systems expected in the days ahead. It said fallen trees, debris and soft ground were making access difficult in some places. Zeballos, on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, is among the communities that have been without power for days. Several properties there are under an evacuation order after a landslide last week.
The ministry said the Sea-to-Sky Highway and Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon could be hit hardest. The Malahat and west coast communities on Vancouver Island may also be affected. Trace Acres of the Road Safety at Work initiative said wet roads reduce visibility and grip and lengthen stopping distances. In Vancouver, police said a 78-year-old woman died after a car struck her at Dunbar Street and West 34th Avenue on Friday. Officers urged pedestrians to stay visible and drivers to take extra care.