Flood warnings and evacuations issued as atmospheric rivers pound B.C. coast
The Village of Pemberton has ordered an evacuation as more than 200 millimetres of rain fell in some areas.
Explainer
The Village of Pemberton ordered an evacuation on Wednesday as a series of atmospheric rivers deluged British Columbia's south coast. The province's River Forecast Centre upgraded flood watches to warnings for the Pemberton Valley, Howe Sound, Sea to Sky and the North Shore of Metro Vancouver. More than 200 millimetres of rain fell in some places within 24 hours, causing rivers to rise rapidly. The evacuation order for Airport Road cited an immediate danger to life safety from flooding and covered the local airport, a wastewater plant and a fire base.
Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Hay said Port Mellon recorded 214 millimetres of rain by Wednesday morning. Other areas like Howe Sound and parts of Vancouver Island also saw significant rainfall totals. Hay noted that while some regions experienced a brief lull, more rain was on the way throughout the day. The River Forecast Centre forecast an additional 100 millimetres for the Sea to Sky corridor and west and central Vancouver Island.
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Which areas are under the most severe warnings?
Flood warnings are active for the Pemberton Valley, Howe Sound, Sea to Sky and the North Shore of Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada's orange rainfall warnings, first issued Monday, remain for Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky regions. The weather office also warned central B.C. residents of damaging winds with gusts near 100 kilometres per hour. It said utility outages were likely and driving could be hazardous due to falling debris.
The River Forecast Centre reported that several waterways, including the Stawamus, Clowhom and Squamish rivers and Tofino Creek, were flowing at high rates. In its warning, the centre stated, "Continued rises in river levels are expected into Thursday in response to additional rainfall." It advised people to stay away from riverbanks due to the risk of instability from fast-moving water. B.C.'s Transportation Ministry told drivers to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and possible flooding across southern coastal areas.
What prompted the evacuation in Pemberton?
The Village of Pemberton issued its evacuation order Wednesday afternoon for properties on Airport Road. "All persons within the affected area are required to leave immediately and follow the directions of emergency personnel," the order said. The community, located about 160 kilometres north of Vancouver, posted on social media that flooding had occurred around One Mile Lake, affecting trails. Residents were urged to avoid flooded zones and flowing water.
Local resident Gregory Whittaker described listening to rain pound down overnight in Pemberton Meadows as nearby Miller Creek was "getting angry." Despite warnings, the 50-year-old went on a Remembrance Day hike to check the creek, which converges with the Lillooet River. Videos he took show it as a roaring torrent of white water. "It's more of a spectacle at this point," Whittaker said, noting his home is above the floodplain. He acknowledged the situation could worsen with more rain expected overnight.
When is the wet weather expected to ease?
Meteorologist Jennifer Hay said a brief break in the rain is possible on Thursday or early Friday. However, she forecast "another quite strong system" between Friday and Sunday. "It looks it's not until well into the 15th or the 16th where we do see a change of pattern, everything dries out and the temperatures probably will drop," Hay said. She added that a rainfall warning for the Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions had been lifted but could be reissued.
Whittaker echoed concerns about the ongoing forecast, saying, "We're supposed to get round three of heavy rain this evening so, you know, it could be a whole other story tomorrow. We'll have to see what happens." Your Space Hamilton reported in November that Environment Canada warned some areas could see over 250 millimetres of rain, with flooding and landslides likely. The current storms have been affecting the region since last week.
With files from The Canadian Press, paNOW and Winnipeg Sun