National

First atmospheric river of fall deluges parts of B.C. south coast, southern Interior

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Oct, 2023 01:21 PM

British Columbia's south coast is weathering its first atmospheric river of the fall and the province's Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma, says residents should prepare for increased rainfall and the chance of flooding.

The River Forecast Centre has also issued High Streamflow Advisories for: North & South Thompson, Upper Columbia, Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, and Howe Sound.
⚠️ Stay away from fast-moving water
⚠️ Avoid fishing, swimming, boating or hiking
⚠️ Be aware of landslide risks pic.twitter.com/yWU9S6jFed
— Bowinn Ma (@BowinnMa) October 18, 2023

Rainfall warnings cover most of Vancouver Island, as well as the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, Whistler and Metro Vancouver as Environment Canada pinpoints a firehose-like band pumping moisture from the subtropics directly at the B.C. coast.

More than 200 millimetres of rain could fall along sections of western Vancouver Island, while 80 to 110 millimetres are forecast across the Howe Sound, Whistler and Sea-to-Sky regions before the storm is expected to ease late in the day.

Up to 80 millimetres could drench Metro Vancouver, and the weather office says localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible everywhere the warnings are posted.

The rain-shadow effect will protect much of the Interior from heavy downpours, but a special weather statement covers the West Columbia region of southeast B.C., which could see as much as 50 millimetres of rain by early Thursday.

High streamflow advisories are in effect for Vancouver Island and the inner south coast, as well as the North and South Thompson and Upper Columbia regions of the Interior, while both the emergency management and forests ministries warn the rain could complicate wildfire recovery in regions such as the Shuswap.

"Following a season of severe drought and wildfire, rainfall on impacted areas can generate high surface water run-off and erosion due to a lack of vegetation, leading to a possibility of localized flooding and landslides," the province's statement says.

It also says widespread or severe impacts are not expected as part of the latest atmospheric river system, but officials are urging all residents, no matter where they live, to take steps to prepare for seasonal storms.

B.C.'s worst atmospheric river hit the south coast and southern Interior on Nov. 14, 2021, bringing two days of intense precipitation that killed five people, cut all road and rail links with the rest of the province and Canada, and caused devastating landslides and floods in communities including Merritt, Princeton and Abbotsford.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government's proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax will generate an additional $2.6 billion in revenue over five years. The tax aims to ensure high-income earners and trusts don't pay disproportionately less in taxes than other taxpayers.

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

The latest federal government forecast says Canada's already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says there is potential for increased wildland fire activity from eastern Alberta through to central Ontario at least until the end of this month, while fires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories will continue to smoulder.

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

The City of Surrey says it will be removing derelict boats from the Nicomekl River this month. The city says boats have been illegally mooring on a narrow section of the river, dumping raw sewage and garbage into the water, and creating hazards for other boaters.

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

Police return emotional support rabbit that ran loose in Vancouver SkyTrain station

A rabbit that hopped the tracks at a downtown Vancouver transit station was reunited with its owner after efforts by passengers and police. Metro Vancouver Transit Police say the bunny was running loose last Thursday at the Granville SkyTrain station when a passenger picked it up and handed it to officers patrolling the underground stop.

Police return emotional support rabbit that ran loose in Vancouver SkyTrain station

Private donation helps attract teachers to rural B.C. with $10,000 cash welcome gifts

A rural school district in the British Columbia Interior has filled a shortfall of teachers with help from an anonymous benefactor who donated $200,000 to welcome new educators. At a time when schools across the province are struggling with staff recruitment and retention, the Gold Trail School District offered $10,000 incentives to attract new teachers, and $15,000 for those who agreed to move to the small town of Lytton which was devastated by fire two years ago.

Private donation helps attract teachers to rural B.C. with $10,000 cash welcome gifts

'There's no one to fill his shoes': Journalist and author Peter C. Newman dies at 94

Veteran journalist and author Peter C. Newman, who held a mirror up to Canada, has died at the age of 94. He died in hospital in Belleville, Ont., Thursday morning from complications related to a stroke he had last year, which caused him to develop Parkinson's disease, his wife Alvy Newman said by phone.