Slip on those windbreakers and remember your umbrellas, we’re in for some heavy rain!
According to another weather alert issued by Environment Canada on Thursday evening, inland Vancouver Island could see upwards of 150 millimetres of rain starting on Saturday, January 27th all the way through to Wednesday, January 31st.
300 millimetres of rain is expected on West Vancouver Island and in the Coast Mountains, and 60 mm is being estimated for the Southern Gulf Islands.
Otherwise known as an atmospheric river, narrow bands of heavy precipitation are common in British Columbia and many occur every year—usually in the fall and winter.
So, although rain is seasonally typical, Environment Canada is encouraging everyone to be prepared for heavy rain and the possibility of floods, as Vancouver Island is listed as one of the areas on the Flood Watch list.
The warning of potential floods is due to a combination of rainfall and mountain snowmelt possibly leading to pressure on BC’s river systems.
The province is monitoring conditions closely, working directly with communities on preparedness activities.
Residents should also be prepared for strong winds, which may result in tree damage and power outages in some areas.
Emergency response teams across the province are prepared to deploy as many as four million sandbags and other flood-related emergency-response strategies if needed.
Additionally, the BC River Forecast Centre is closely monitoring forecasts and updating streamflow models—this will include the effects of melting snow and rain-on-snow from warmer temperatures over the next week.
Advisories, watches and warnings will be issued or updated as needed.
People are encouraged to check the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) weather page or mobile app for updated alerts and forecast rainfall totals.
Residents are also asked to take precautions to ensure personal safety—this includes developing a household plan, putting together emergency kits, connecting with neighbours, and learning about the local government emergency response plan for their area.
It may be worth also considering moving equipment and other assets from these areas to higher ground, clearing perimeter drains, eavestroughs and gutters, and putting together grab-and-go bags filled with the essentials in case of an evacuation.
For more information on preparedness, you can check out the PreparedBC Flood Preparedness Guide.
Be safe and stay dry, Victoria!
