BC Storm 2016 Update – most powerful storm expected Saturday

Fueled by the remnants of Typhoon Songda, the third and most powerful storm is expected to arrive in our region late Saturday.

There is uncertainty about exactly where this system will land. Environment Canada is predicting it could be anywhere from northwestern Washington State to central Vancouver Island.

“A worst-case windstorm scenario for the Inner South Coast would be a landfall along central or southern Vancouver Island.”

However, if the storm makes landfall and tracks over Washington State, its impact on BC would be less severe.

Environment Canada is warning of winds gusting to 80 km/h beginning Friday over West Vancouver Island region and midday through Inland Vancouver Island region. Port Alberni could see winds gusting to 90 km/hr.

The strong winds will ease this afternoon before the next and potentially more powerful storm arrives late Saturday. On Saturday as the low arrives, very strong winds gusting to over 100 km/h, are likely for parts of western Vancouver Island. Victoria is also at risk of damaging winds.

West and inland Vancouver Island could see over 200 mm of rain, and inner coastal areas may have 100 mm. The heavy rain coupled with fallen autumn foliage has caused water pooling to streets across the region, including Victoria’s HWY 17 in Central Saanich on Friday. Highway 4 was closed between Tofino and Ucluelet.

On Friday, power had been restored to some 13,000 residences on Vancouver Island. Although the second storm had abated temporarily, by early Friday morning thunder and lightning woke many Victoria Buzz readers.

South of the border, tornado warnings were issued on Friday in northwest Oregon as a result of the same storm front that has been hitting our region.

Although not yet confirmed, The National Weather Service received reports of tornado damage on Friday morning.

Already weakened by heavy rains and wind, there is greater risk of trees falling by the weekend.

Large waves are also expected. According to the Weather Network, “Unsheltered areas of the coastline could see wave heights reach 10 meters or more, which would produce beach erosion and coastal flooding.”

The rain is expected to continue well into next week, further increasing flood and landslide risks, and weakening trees.

For more on #BCStorm monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada here.

Related: When the Power Goes Out – 7 things BC Hydro wants you to know