Environment Canada has issued urgent rainfall warnings for various regions in southwestern British Columbia, adding to the recent flood concerns following heavy rain. The agency predicts up to 70 millimetres of rain in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and parts of Vancouver Island until Wednesday morning. Additionally, high winds are expected, potentially reaching 100 kilometres per hour in some areas.
As a result of the severe weather conditions, over 7,000 BC Hydro customers are currently experiencing power outages. Although most highways in the region are now accessible, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton remains closed, and travelers are cautioned about potentially dangerous driving conditions on Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon and the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt.
Cleanup efforts have begun in the Fraser Valley as water levels gradually recede. However, flood risks persist in various B.C. rivers, extending to Metro Vancouver’s North Shore. B.C. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene emphasized the heightened flood and landslide risks in the region, advising residents to stay away from riverbanks and water bodies due to unstable conditions.