Another series of storms is expected to hit the Metro Vancouver region beginning Tuesday.

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B.C. storm updates: Rainfall warnings in effect for Vancouver Island | Pemberton under evacuation alert while Squamish told to shelter in place | No power for Zeballos residents | New rainfall warning issued for Metro Vancouver Back to video

Thursday, Nov. 12

11:19 a.m.: Rainfall warnings in effect for Vancouver Island

A number of rainfall warnings are in effect for Vancouver Island, where up to 250 millimetres of rain could fall Thursday.

Environment Canada is forecasting rainfall amounts between 150 to 250 millimetres for the West Shore and Inland Vancouver Island beginning Thursday morning.

“A strong frontal system over the area will weaken today. Rain will continue to ease as the front weakens,” read the warning. “A weaker weather system will bring more rain tonight and Friday.”

Residents can expect localized flooding, while some roads may become dangerous to pass. Visibility will be impacted and those in slope-side areas should be cautious about possible landslides.

Along the Sunshine Coast, a separate rainfall warning is predicting between 50 to 100 millimetres of rain.

-Stephanie Ip

10:20 a.m.: Evacuation alert in effect for Pemberton

An evacuation alert is in effect for Pemberton due to flooding.

The alert was issued on Wednesday evening and updated on Thursday morning, cautioning residents to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

“Due to extremely high river flows and significant precipitation that may result in flooding, the Village of Pemberton has issued an Evacuation Alert for the Village of Pemberton jurisdiction,” read the alert.

Residents should make arrangements and be prepared to leave should the alert be escalated to an order.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District also warned of road closures due to flooding.

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“Sections of the Pemberton Meadows Road and Highway 99 are now impassable due to flooding,” noted an update shared Thursday morning. “As conditions can change quickly, additional route closures may occur in the coming hours.”

Officials say Pemberton Creek Bridge near One Mile Lake is at risk of overflow onto Highway 99. If so, the flooding would cut southbound access toward Whistler.

“Heavy rain also increases the risk of landslides, flooding and debris affecting travel routes. If you can safely stay where you are, avoid non-essential travel. Keep medications, essential supplies, grab-and-go bags and your phone ready,” warned officials.

Meanwhile, a shelter-in-place advisory was issued Thursday morning for some neighbourhoods in the Squamish area due to flooding downstream of the Cheakamus Dam.

The advisory applies to the Paradise Valley and Sunwolf Lodge / Cheekye Ranch area.

Residents are being told to remain in place if their current location is safe.

“Paradise Valley Road has begun to flood and is not safe. Do not walk or drive through floodwater or flooded roads,” read the advisory.

Schools in the area were also closed Thursday to avoid stranding students away from home due to the shelter-in-place warning. Those included Blackwater Creek Elementary, Signal Hill Elementary and Pemberton Secondary School.

At 10:20 a.m., the shelter-in-place warning was updated to a flood warning for the Howe Sound and Sea-to-Sky region.

Paradise Valley Road is now closed at the Paradise Valley Bailey Bridge, and Squamish Valley Road is closed at the Pilchuck Bailey Bridge.

An earlier rainfall warning has also ended, with river levels expected to peak today and then begin to drop off as rainfall disperses into the river system.

“The spill level/discharge from the dam peaked at approximately 5 a.m. this morning,” read the notice issued by the District of Squamish.

“The spill level will decrease slowly throughout today with a two-fold goal of creating room in the reservoir for the upcoming storm, and dropping below bankfull levels to re-open the road.”

-Stephanie Ip

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Zeballos residents remain without power

The Village of Zeballos remains without power due to weather conditions that have prevented helicopter access needed to make repairs.

Specialized equipment is required and must be transported by helicopter due to the remote location of the remote Vancouver Island community and challenging terrain.

The earliest crews can access the site is Thursday, provided weather conditions allow safe access.

Crews are completing as much preparation work as possible in advance of repairs. We appreciate the patience of affected customers and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Expect pooling water and minor flooding on South Coast highways

It’s wet and dark, and only about to get wetter and darker this week.

The provincial government issued a warning to drivers in the South Coast region on Tuesday afternoon, advising them to prepare for winds, heavy rainfall and possible flooding continuing through the rest of the week.

Exppect possible areas of pooling water on roadways, fallen debris and the potential for short-notice road closures on Highway 99 through the Sea to Sky corridor and Pemberton Valley, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and the Fraser Canyon, and the Malahat and western coast communities on Vancouver Island.

Police issued nearly 7,000 tickets to B.C. drivers in October — the Drive to Conditions month — including an F-350 pickup speeding at 166 km/h in a 110 zone in dark, foggy and wet conditions just before Halloween. Along with fines and an impound, it cost an Abbotsford driver nearly $4,000.

“We ask all drivers to understand that posted speed limits are created for ideal, dry, clear, daytime conditions,” said RCMP Superintendent Lori Orstad.

11:35 a.m.: Hydro crews brace for more outages as winds set to return

B.C. Hydro crews are bracing for more damage and power outages as strong winds are set to return Tuesday evening.

In an update shared Tuesday morning, B.C. Hydro said just 2,300 customers, mostly in the Northern and central interior, remained without power following a series of heavy storms that began on Friday.

In recent days, up to 415,000 outages were recorded, keeping crews busy around the clock across the province.

“Many of the remaining outages require extensive and complicated repairs, including replacing poles and crossarms, rebuilding sections of the electrical system and restringing downed wire,” the statement read.

“More than 200 spans of wire were damaged in the region alone and have required replacement. Access also remains challenging in some areas because of fallen trees, debris and soft ground conditions.”

A total of 180 workers are still involve with restoration work, including those from other parts of the province.

Customers in Salmon Valley and much of Vanderhoof can expect power to return by late Tuesday, while customers in Chief Lake, Ness Lake, Eskers and Summit Lake should be able to power on by the end of Wednesday.

That said, heavy winds are expected to return Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing the potential for new damage and more outages.

Should conditions deteriorate, restoration crews may need to halt work temporarily.

5:02 a.m.: New rainfall warning issued for Metro Vancouver

A new rainfall warning has been issued for the Metro Vancouver region on Tuesday morning.

Environment Canada has forecast up to 50 millimetres of rain, as a storm moves in Tuesday morning and is expected to stay until Wednesday morning.

“A very robust frontal system is set to make landfall on the South Coast very early this morning,” the warning noted.

“Rainfall rates will intensify this afternoon and overnight. Precipitation will ease briefly on Wednesday morning before increasing again later in the day bringing additional rainfall amounts.”

Drivers are being warned of pooling water on roads and in low-lying areas. Visibility will also be impacted.

Residents located near rivers, creeks and culverts are also reminded to be careful near fast-moving water.

Meanwhile, a heavy rainfall warning has been issued for the Sea to Sky and Squamish area, with between 120 to 160 millimetres of rain expected, “possibly more.”

Rain is expected to be heavy throughout Tuesday, possibly easing during the day on Wednesday before intensifying again through Thursday morning.

“Localized flooding is likely. Some roads may become impassable,” notes the warning. “Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars.”

-Stephanie Ip

Monday, Nov. 9

7:18 a.m.: Power restored to most customers in time for next round of wild weather

Power has been restored to about 99 per cent of B.C. Hydro customers after a wild weekend of windy weather.

According to a Monday morning update from B.C. Hydro, just 6,000 customers remained without power after crews spent the weekend working around the clock to repair damage to power lines and power poles across the region.

Over the course of the weekend, a total of 415,000 customers lost power at some point during the storm system; at its peak around 1 a.m. on Sunday, a total of 135,000 customers were simultaneously without power.

“Crews have made significant progress despite widespread damage, difficult access and complex repairs in some of the hardest-hit areas,” read a statement issued by B.C. Hydro.

Of the 6,000 customers still waiting for the power to come back on, most are in the Prince George area, where 200 spans of wire have been downed, power poles broken and electrical equipment damaged.

“We’ve now restored power to 99 per cent of customers impacted by these storms, but our job isn’t finished until every customer is back on,” said spokesperson Whitney Deane.

“Our crews have been working around the clock since Friday through some very challenging conditions. We know it has been a long few days for customers who are still without power, and we appreciate their patience as our crews work through these final, complex repairs.”

Deane said additional crews, contractors and specialized equipment have been brought in to assist in the central interior.

The latest the remaining B.C. Hydro customers can expect their power to return is late Tuesday evening.

-Stephanie Ip

5:30 a.m.: ‘Potent’ series of storms set to return on Tuesday

While B.C. Hydro is close to restoring power for the remaining customers cut off during the weekend’s windy weather, another “strong and potent” series of storms is expected to start on Tuesday and lasting through Thursday.

The storms will bring a “prolonged period of heavy rainfall” with significant rainfall accumulations expected, particularly in areas at higher elevation.

“This rainfall event comes on the heels of several low pressure systems that have moved through the region in recent days, already bringing substantial amounts of precipitation to parts of the coast,” read the special weather statement updated by Environment Canada on Monday morning.

Strong winds are also expected in some areas and residents in areas prone to water pooling or that have already received significant rainfall are advised to watch for possible flooding.

-Stephanie Ip

Sunday, Nov. 8

Driver dies in Surrey after storm brings down tree on Highway 10

The driver of a vehicle travelling along Highway 10 in Surrey on Saturday night was killed when a tree came down across the road.

Surrey Police Service Sgt. Ali Gailus said emergency services were called about wires across Highway 10 between 182nd and 184th streets in Cloverdale at around 8 p.m.

Read more.

More to come …

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