Environment Canada issues warning for Vancouver Island as heavy rain expected

A high streamflow advisory has been issued for much of the B.C. coast, with heavy rain expected throughout the weekend.

The advisory is in place for the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and other coastal communities.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says a storm system affecting the north and central coast would reach the south coast by evening.

The ministry says it’s unlikely there will be widespread flooding in Metro Vancouver or on Vancouver Island, but rivers were expected to rise rapidly on Friday and continue through Saturday.

The ministry also says another storm system is expected to arrive on Vancouver Island on Sunday and last until Monday, especially for the South Coast.

Lowland areas of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland are expected to get between 40 and 70 millimetres of rain over a four-day period.

The ministry says ongoing job action launched by the B.C. General Employees Union is affecting the ability of River Forecast Centre staff to access the full range of information that is typically used to generate forecasts and advisories.

“As a result, the current forecasts have a higher degree of uncertainty and should be interpreted with caution,” it said.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has also issued a wind warning for the eastern part of B.C., covering communities like North Peace River and South Peace River.

It says a frontal system over the B.C. Peace Region is bringing winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour that are expected to ease on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2025.