A major weather system has hit parts of B.C. with more than 200 mm of rain, causing power outages and minor coastal flooding risk.
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The first major weather system of British Columbia’s storm season has brought heavy rainfall to Vancouver Island and coastal areas, along with damaging winds that are contributing to power outages and rising water levels.
After a particularly dry October, the system left parts of Vancouver Island and coastal regions drenched under more than 200 mm of rain, according to reporting from the River Forecast Centre and BC Hydro.
Environment Canada and provincial forecast agencies warned that successive atmospheric river conditions continue to move across the province, with coastal communities facing rising water levels and mainland winds expected to lead to widespread outages.
BC Hydro said about 40,000 customers were without power as of 8 a.m. Saturday, nearly half of the number without power at the peak of the storm on Friday.
The utility said Prince George, Port Hardy, Courtenay and Qualicum were among the hardest hit areas.
While restoration work continued, Environment Canada forecast strong winds, including southeasterly gusts that could reach up to 90 km/h.
In a news release, BC Hydro spokesperson Whitney Deane said the storm on Friday caused significant damage and that the utility is preparing for more challenging weather, with crews working “around-the-clock” to restore power and respond to new outages.
The River Forecast Centre said waterways are rapidly rising in parts of northern and western Vancouver Island, with flows reaching two- to five-year return levels on Friday.
A coastal flooding statement from Environment Canada warned that elevated ocean levels combined with strong winds and waves could push waters above the highest astronomical tides, with minor flooding along low-lying shorelines considered likely this weekend.
BC Ferries said Saturday that its 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay were cancelled, with the last sailing on the route Saturday at 5 p.m.
The service said ferries are operating between Metro Vancouver and Nanaimo and will continue monitoring weather conditions for Sunday.
If conditions do not improve, BC Ferries said the 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. sailings between Tsawwassen and the Island are at risk of being cancelled.
On Friday, the Village of Zeballos issued an evacuation order due to the risk of landslides from the rainfall, and it advised residents to be prepared to leave if needed.
Environment Canada said a third storm expected to hit Monday may bring a more prolonged period of rainfall across B.C.’s coast through next week.
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