Environment Canada says elevated ocean levels and strong winds and waves could push waters above the highest astronomical tides this weekend on much of Vancouver Island’s west coast.
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Parts of Vancouver Island have received up to 210 millimetres of rain since Thursday as British Columbia’s first major storm system of the season brought heavy rain and strong winds.
BC Hydro said about 80,000 customers were without power at the peak of Friday’s storm, and about 40,000 customers were still without electricity as of Saturday.
The utility said Prince George in northern B.C., along with Port Hardy, Courtenay and Qualicum on Vancouver Island, were among the hardest-hit areas as downed trees and branches led to widespread power outages.
B.C.’s River Forecast Centre said the rainfall is part of a series of atmospheric river systems expected to drench coastal areas in the coming days, with waterways rising rapidly and flows in parts of northern and western Vancouver Island reaching two- to five-year return levels on Friday.
High streamflow advisories cover most of the island as well as the south and central coasts, including the Sea to Sky region and the lower Fraser River basin.
Environment Canada issued a coastal flooding statement for much of Vancouver Island’s west coast, warning that elevated ocean levels combined with strong winds and waves could push waters above the highest astronomical tides, making minor flooding along low-lying shorelines likely this weekend.
The River Forecast Centre said a second bout of rain will arrive later Saturday and continue into Sunday, with the heaviest downpours expected on Vancouver Island and in the Sea to Sky and Howe Sound areas, along with the North Shore mountains.
A wind warning remains in effect for parts of Metro Vancouver, with strong winds gusting up to 90 km/h developing early Saturday evening and lasting until Sunday.
BC Hydro said its meteorologists are monitoring additional weather systems expected to affect the coast and other regions of the province between now and mid-week, and encouraged customers to be prepared for changing conditions.
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