Environment Canada is warning of heavy rainfall on the North Shore and urging residents to monitor for possible flood warnings as wet weather continues.
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Metro Vancouver is being hit by another strong storm system, with Environment Canada expecting the heaviest rainfall on the North Shore and the northern parts of Vancouver.
The forecast calls for heavy rain of 100 to 150 millimetres on the North Shore and up to 250 mm of rain in some parts of the province.
Environment Canada is reminding residents to keep an eye on updates from the River Forecast Centre for any potential flood warnings and to clear catch basins and storm drains to help prevent flooding and pooling on roads.
The agency is also urging people to remain vigilant because the storm is expected to bring wind gusts.
Over the weekend, a woman in Surrey died after a tree fell onto her vehicle during the storm.
In Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, a family said a tree snapped during the storm and crushed their brand-new vehicle less than two hours after they took ownership; the same tree also toppled onto a trampoline minutes after three young children had been jumping on it, bringing down a power line as well.
BC Hydro spokesperson Whitney Deane said downed power lines can cause outages for nearby homes and that more outages are possible.
She said trees can be destabilized by rain, especially after a dry fall when the ground can’t absorb moisture at once and becomes saturated, and wind gusts can then cause trees to fall onto power lines.
Deane said people should treat any downed power line as though it is live, even if it isn’t sparking, buzzing or smoking.
The utility also advised residents to prepare for the next storm, including having an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, water, food and any necessary medications.
Deane said that during a storm, the best course is to stay home if possible, stay off the roads, hunker down, and keep emergency kits ready.
She added that the City of Vancouver will open extra shelter spaces for anyone sleeping outside, and people in need can get updates on available beds by texting or calling 211.
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