British Columbia’s South Coast was pounded with heavy rain overnight Wednesday and early Thursday as the first of three powerful October storms made its way across the Lower Mainland. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement concerning two more storms expected to hit Metro Vancouver area and parts of Vancouver Island on Friday and Saturday.

In North Vancouver, the rain poured down hard enough to topple a large tree onto a resident’s driveway. CTV Vancouver’s Sheila Scott told CTV News Channel on Thursday morning that the tree struck a parked SUV and damaged part of the home. There were no reported injuries related to the incident. She said that city crews were working nearby cutting down other trees that might pose a threat to safety when the next two storms arrive later in the week.

Despite the tremendous amount of rain, Scott said the Metro Vancouver area hasn’t yet been hit by any strong winds. She said the rain had calmed down temporarily late Thursday morning. Environment Canada warned that the second, stronger storm will arrive sometime Thursday evening bringing an additional 80 to 100 millimetres of rain for Howe Sound and Metro Vancouver. The weather agency also said higher winds will accompany the rain on Thursday.

The most intense storm, fueled by remnants of Typhoon Songda in the Pacific, is expected to hammer the South Coast on Saturday, according to Environment Canada. That low pressure system could produce the heaviest rainfall and fiercest winds with as much as 200 millimetres of rain predicted for west and inland areas of Vancouver Island. Inner coastal regions might receive upwards of 100 millimetres of rain with even higher amounts expected near the mountains.

Scott said that residents in the North Vancouver area have already begun laying down sandbags to prepare for the possibility of flooding during the next two storms. Power outages are also a major concern for anyone living in the affected areas. Scott said that the wind speeds on Saturday could be up to 100 km/h, which could mean a lot of downed power lines due to falling trees and branches. B.C. Hydro has already brought in extra crews from the province’s interior to the South Coast in preparation.

Environment Canada has declared weather warnings for the following areas in British Columbia:

- East Vancouver Island

- Howe Sound

- Inland Vancouver Island

- Metro Vancouver

- Sunshine Coast

- West Vancouver Island