The Fraser Valley Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for areas near the Chilliwack River, citing the risk to life and safety due to high river flows as an atmospheric river passes through the region. The alert covers all lands between Allison Pool and Chilliwack Lake along the river or within its floodplain. Residents are urged to prepare and pack essential items in case of a sudden evacuation.
Rainfall warnings are in place for most of Vancouver Island and coastal regions of British Columbia, with Environment Canada forecasting continued heavy rain until Monday. The B.C. River Forecast Centre has extended flood watch advisories to encompass all of Vancouver Island as the atmospheric river progresses in the area.
Central, eastern, and southern Vancouver Island have been included in the flood watch advisories, alongside northern and western Vancouver Island, B.C.’s south coast, Fraser Valley, and Metro Vancouver regions. The River Forecast Centre anticipates prolonged heavy rain, warmer temperatures, and increased runoff due to rain-on-snow melt, with peak river levels expected until Monday in certain areas.
Environment Canada has also issued warnings for heavy rain persisting until Monday, with up to 200 mm expected on the west side of Vancouver Island, 135 mm inland, 100 mm on the east side, 150 mm in Metro Vancouver, and up to 100 mm in the Fraser Valley before easing on Monday night. Kitimat on the north coast is expected to experience heavy rain through Sunday, tapering off around midnight but with intermittent rain expected until Tuesday.
The forecast center has additionally issued high streamflow advisories for Haida Gwaii, the north, central, and south coasts, and the Lower Fraser region, warning of potential road washouts, localized flooding, swift water hazards, and landslides. Vigilance is advised over the weekend and into Monday due to the escalating flood hazard posed by the ongoing weather pattern.