BC Prepares for Second of 3 Storms as Province Offers Trudeau Updates and Visits | The Canadian News

British Columbia is bracing for another storm over the weekend after more heavy rain in the past 24 hours.

Environment Canada says heavy rains will continue Saturday night through Sunday in areas like Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and West Vancouver Island.

The meteorological center says that around 60 millimeters of rain could fall during that time on the southern sections, where up to 120 millimeters could fall near the mountains.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham will provide an update on the flood situation in the province at 11:30 am on Friday.

That will be streamed live upstairs and on BC1.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to visit British Columbia on Friday.

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He is scheduled to visit Victoria and Abbotsford, the worst affected Fraser Valley community that remains partially underwater and at risk of further flooding as the new storm system progresses.

The Prime Minister is expected to tour the flood zone and meet with Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun, Sumas First Nation Chief Dalton Silver, First Nation Chief from Matsqui, Alice McKay, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, first responders and volunteers.

Trudeau will later meet with Prime Minister John Horgan in Victoria and will have a media availability at 5:30 pm.

On Thursday, BC opened a key stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway through Abbotsford, alleviating a traffic bottleneck and helping to restore fractured supply lines in the province.

However, the community remains on high alert.

Parts of the province saw heavy rain Wednesday night and Abbotsford saw 55 millimeters of rain overnight. Chilliwack saw 45 millimeters of precipitation while Hope had 35.

A flood warning remains in effect for the Sumas River, including the Sumas Prairie and the surrounding area, as officials continue to closely monitor water levels.

The city said Thursday’s rain had an impact on the Barrowtown pump station’s ability to reduce current floodwater levels, but there was no increase in water in the Sumas prairie.

Braun said it will be weeks before the still flooded area of ​​the eastern Sumas prairie clears.

This story will be updated after the press conference at 11:30 am PT.