Parts of B.C. are under flood watch ahead of another batch of significant storms hitting the province, forecasters announced Monday. The update from the River Forecast Centre covers B.C.’s South and Central coasts, all of Vancouver Island, and the northern Fraser Valley. “Following a series of atmospheric rivers last week, another round of storm systems is expected to impact the B.C. coast starting on Tuesday,” the River Forecast Centre said. “The heaviest rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, with lingering rainfall continuing through the rest of the week.” Forecasters say B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region, mountains on the North Shore and Howe Sound, and the west and east sides of Vancouver Island are expected to be battered hardest by rain. The River Forecast Centre issues these updates in three tiers as rivers rise. A high streamflow advisory was already in place and has been upgraded to flood watch, with flood warning as the third and final tier. The current state is detailed as: “River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.” Forecasters say warmer temperatures amid stormy conditions through Wednesday could melt shallow snowpacks, contributing to flood risk. Locals have been advised to stay away from banks of fast-flowing rivers, avoid driving on flooded surfaces, and keep storm drains clear. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement Sunday afternoon detailing a “potent series of storms” coming for the same regions, as well as B.C.’s North Coast. “This rainfall event comes on the heels of several low-pressure systems that have moved through the region in recent days, already bringing substantial amounts of precipitation to parts of the coast,” Sunday’s update reads. “Communities with historically lower drainage capacity, as well as areas that have already received significant rainfall, should be particularly vigilant.” The weather agency said exact rainfall amounts and specific area coverage remain unclear, but it will issue warnings as the situation becomes clearer.
