Environment and Climate Change Canada has multiple yellow warnings in effect for parts of B.C. as forecasts call for heavy rain and strong winds this weekend.
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Wet and windy conditions are expected to continue for British Columbia’s South Coast, with another system forecast to affect the region on Saturday and trigger multiple yellow warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Days after a powerful storm led to widespread flooding, ECCC said the Sea to Sky corridor—covering Squamish to Whistler—remains at risk as heavy rain is forecast.
The Sea to Sky corridor and Pemberton Valley are also under high streamflow advisories from the B.C. River Forecast Centre, and the Village of Pemberton remains under an evacuation alert.
Highway 99 remains closed from east of Pemberton to the avalanche gates west of Lillooet, while the Squamish River Road remains closed from the 3 kilometre mark to the Pikchuk Creek Bridge.
ECCC forecasts between 40 and 70 millimetres of rain could fall by Sunday in the Sea to Sky. It warned the ground is already saturated from previous storms, limiting its ability to absorb water and intensifying the effects of the rainfall.
While Squamish’s flood risk is decreasing, Mayor Sean Easton said the region is “anticipating more rain coming through the weekend.” He urged people to stay well back from river banks, especially keeping an eye on children and pets, and “whatever you do, don't go in the water.”
Rainfall warnings are also in effect for northern, inland and western Vancouver Island. Tofino and areas further south could see 120 millimetres of rain, while the area between Zeballos, Gold River and Port Alice could see up to 150 millimetres.
Several properties in Zeballos remain under an evacuation order following a landslide triggered amid last week’s rainstorms.
Northern, western and central Vancouver Island also remain under high streamflow advisories, and coastal flooding advisories are in place for Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Saanich Inlet and Georgia Strait shorelines through Sunday. ECCC expects storm surges and strong winds to push tides higher than typical levels.
Wind warnings are also in effect for most of Vancouver Island, with the exception of the east coast from Nanaimo south to Shawnigan Lake, as well as the Southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast from Saltery Bay to Powell River, and Haida Gwaii.
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