Heavy, prolonged rain throughout Metro Vancouver has prompted Environment Canada to issue two alerts for the Tri-Cities as a moisture-laden system is expected to dump up to 70 millimetres of rain on some parts of the region by Thursday morning.
The Tri-Cities has been placed under both a rainfall warning and special weather statement as “significant rain” is expected to ramp up over night, potentially delivering flash floods and water pooling on roads in some areas.
Strong winds and falling leaves may clog drainage systems leading to localized flooding, and power outages have already hit a number of neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver, including a small corner of Belcarra, according to BC Hydro.
Today’s rainfall marked the arrival of the first storm in a week-long series of weather systems. The heaviest rain is expected near mountainous areas and where embedded thunderstorms deliver gusty winds and an additional 20 to 30 millimetres of rain in some areas.
Rainfall intensity is expected to taper off through Thursday, though Environment Canada warns “Periods of rain, heavy at times, will continue through Saturday."
