Shelter-in-place advisory issued near Vancouver as dam discharge floods roads
The advisory for Paradise Valley comes as multiple evacuation orders are in place across B.C.'s coast due to heavy rainfall.
VANCOUVER · Officials have told residents north of Vancouver to shelter in place as roads begin to flood from heavy rain and dam run-off. The District of Squamish said BC Hydro warned of expected flooding from rising discharge at Daisy Lake in the Paradise Valley area. In a social media post, British Columbia’s emergency information system stated that Paradise Valley road has begun to flood and is unsafe for travel. The system advised people in areas including Sunwolf Lodge and Cheekye Ranch to stay indoors.
The advisory follows a series of weather systems that have drenched southwestern B.C. since Tuesday. Port Mellon in the Howe Sound region recorded as much as 306 millimetres of rain. The Village of Pemberton issued an evacuation order on Wednesday for properties on Airport Road due to flooding and high-risk river levels. The order covers the local airport, a wastewater treatment facility, a wildland fire management base and a public golf course. Lilʼwat Nation also expanded an evacuation order and alert for the area from Kwetsa7 along the Lillooet River corridor to Lillooet Lake.
Environment Canada reported several locations received more than 100 millimetres of rain in the past two days. Kennedy Lake on Vancouver Island measured 248 millimetres, while Porteau Cove on the Sea to Sky Highway saw 140 millimetres. Other totals included 123 millimetres in Port Alberni, 138 millimetres in Whistler and 134 millimetres in Squamish. While some areas experienced a lull in precipitation Wednesday, orange rainfall warnings remain for west and inland Vancouver Island. A yellow rainfall warning is active for the Sunshine Coast and parts of east Vancouver Island.
An orange warning signifies severe storms are likely to cause significant damage and disruption. Other regions are also dealing with water-related hazards. The Strathcona Regional District issued a water conservation notice for Sayward on Vancouver Island's northeast coast due to sediment from high flows in Newcastle Creek. An evacuation order remains for about 30 properties in Zeballos on northwest Vancouver Island because of flooding and landslide risks. B.C.'s DriveBC website reported Highway 99 east of Pemberton is closed due to flooding, urging caution. Your Space Hamilton reported earlier this week that Environment Canada warned some areas could see over 250 millimetres of rain.
With files from The Canadian Press and Global News