Residents of the south coast of British Columbia are in another 24 hours of “copious amounts of rain,” says Environment Canada, prompting new warnings on the region’s waterways.
Rain advisories are in effect for Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and most of Vancouver Island with up to 100mm of rain, while central and eastern Fraser Valley and Howe Sound could receive up to 150mm of rain.
The continued deluge has prompted the BC River Forecast Center to issue a flood watch for the Englishman River near Parksville.
Read more:
The atmospheric river is expected to drench BC with rain; snowfall warnings issued for mountain passes
High flow warnings are also in effect for Metro Vancouver and North Shore Mountains, Fraser Valley, Sea-to-Sky, Howe Sound, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Canyon tributaries, and most of most of Vancouver Island.
The center said rivers have risen rapidly due to the rains, since Saturday, and warned people to stay away from potentially unstable waterways and riverbanks.
The alerts come on the second day of precipitation from an atmospheric river that made landfall in British Columbia on Saturday, melting snow adding to already swollen waterways.
Environment Canada warned of potential landslides, flash floods, localized flooding, and accumulation of water on roads.
People traveling on the Coquihalla Highway were also warned about the messy conditions Sunday, as Environment Canada forecast a dangerous combination of rain and snow.
Read more:
Category 4 atmospheric river hits the British Columbia coast: what is it and what does it mean?
The national meteorological agency forecast between 60 and 90 mm of rain, with possible wet snowfall on Sunday afternoon and evening, near the Coquihalla Summit, and a change from heavy rain to snowfall on Monday afternoon.
In southeastern British Columbia, Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for the Trans Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.
That route could also have a nasty mix of weather, with 8 to 12 inches of snow on Sunday, changing to heavy rain.
Drivers in all areas are reminded to use their lights and slow down.
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Reference-globalnews.ca