B.C Storm in Canada: Atmospheric River to Ease Sunday, but Rainfall Warnings Remain in Effect

B.C Storm in Canada: Atmospheric River to Ease Sunday, but Rainfall Warnings Remain in Effect

An intense storm system affecting British Columbia’s South Coast is expected to ease on Sunday, but rainfall warnings are still in effect for much of the region. The atmospheric river brought significant rain, wind, and flash flooding to the Lower Mainland on Saturday, with some municipalities reporting over 100 mm of rain.

Rainfall Forecast

Environment Canada predicts that around 15 to 25 millimeters of rain will fall in the Vancouver area on Sunday, with conditions tapering off by the evening. However, the BC River Forecast Center has issued a flood watch for the entire South Coast, with specific flood warnings in place for the Coquitlam River and parts of West Vancouver Island, including regions around Tofino, Bamfield, and Port Renfrew.

Record-Breaking Rainfall

Rainfall in the region has already set records, particularly on Thursday, with Langley potentially reaching an all-time 24-hour rainfall record. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) also reported significant amounts, contributing to the overall deluge across several municipalities.

Impact of the Storm

The North Shore faced overwhelming rain and floodwaters on Saturday as the atmospheric river continued to impact coastal B.C. In West Vancouver, rivers overflowed, flooding streets and prompting multiple road closures. Social media videos captured scenes from Deep Cove and other parts of North Vancouver showing submerged homes and businesses.

Heather from Deep Cove Collective, a local store and ice cream shop, described the situation: “We started blocking it up with wood and shelves,” as the business experienced partial flooding.

In Burnaby, vehicles, including at least one bus, were seen submerged in the Still Creek area. City officials noted that while the area is prone to flooding, the severity of this event was exceptional. Brian Carter, Burnaby’s Director of Public Works, remarked, “It is probably the worst flooding we have seen in years.”

Flooding and Road Closures

In Surrey, flooding caused closures on King George Highway and on 152nd Street between 72nd and 82nd Avenues, with some regions under nearly a foot of water. City engineers expressed hope that the water would recede, especially with low tides expected in the early morning to assist drainage back to the ocean. Yonatan Yohannes, Surrey’s Director of Engineering Operations, described the flooding as a “one in 50-year event.”

Rescue Operations

Additionally, Coquitlam Search and Rescue crews were deployed to assist three hikers stranded off Burke Mountain. Teams rigged ropes to help ferry the hikers across a creek that had transformed into a fast-flowing river due to the heavy rainfall.

As the storm subsides, residents are urged to remain vigilant as recovery efforts continue and to stay updated on local conditions and warnings.

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Keywords: B.C. storm updates, atmospheric river impact, rainfall forecast, flood warnings British Columbia, canada