As rain continues to pour down for the second time this week, Coquitlam city crews were scrambling to ensure catch basins around the city remain clear of debris.
Coquitlam's director of public works, Brad Lofgren, said the checks began well before the first storm hit on Tuesday. But even their efforts couldn't keep up with the deluge as several stretches of Schoolhouse Street, Lougheed Highway and United Boulevard near King Edward were awash with floods and huge puddles. Manhole covers over storm sewers along Brunette Avenue were burbling over with water running down the Coquitlam's south slope.
We ask the public to be aware of standing water on roads and to avoid driving in it if at all possible," Lofgren said.
And while the impromptu lakes weren't quite as large or widespread during Thursday's storm, some exit ramps and curb lanes remained behind barriers so motorists wouldn't get swamped.
Lofgren said the sheer volume of rainfall challenged some of the city's drainage facilities near the Fraser River, especially when the tide was high on the waterway.
The areas quickly drained down once the rain slowed and the tide went back down," Lofgren said, adding residents can help alleviate some of the problems by ensuring catch basins in their neighbourhood are clear of debris like fallen leaves as well as making sure their own properties are being drained properly by well-maintained gutters, downspouts and lawn basins.
Environment Canada issued a heavy rain warning early Thursday and predicts amounts of 70-90 mm before it tapers to showers on Friday.
But that won't be the end of the precipitation, as more rain is predicted through the weekend and well into next week.
