Flood watch issued for Metro Vancouver
Posted December 24, 2022 2:17 pm.
Metro Vancouver, along with Howe Sound, the North Shore mountains and the Fraser Valley are under a flood watch.
River levels in those areas are rising and will approach or may exceed banks, according to the River Forecast Centre.
Flood watches have also been issued for parts of southern Vancouver Island, including around Victoria and Nanaimo.
Read More: Numerous weather warnings in place across B.C.
This comes as the southwest corner of the province is seeing weather alerts for precipitation, including a rainfall warning in Metro Vancouver. That’s paired with some snow melt, as a result of consecutive winter storms that have battered the region throughout the week.
According to a Saturday update from the River Forecast Centre, river levels are experiencing “accelerated rising” in most areas.
“Low lying flooding is expected and may extend to overbank flooding of floodplains in areas,” the agency said.
Municipalities around the region have warned the public about localized flooding following the weather systems experienced over the past few days. Cities like Delta and Richmond have advised crews will be responding to localized flooding as a result of clogged storm drains.
Winter weather update Dec 24 9:00am —
Priority 1 & 2 routes were cleared throughout the night.
Crews are responding to localized flooding calls & clearing catch basins on major roads.
Staff are monitoring & preparing for storm surge conditions at Boundary Bay.#DeltaBC pic.twitter.com/lqvNUgMyrs— City of Delta (@CityofDeltaBC) December 24, 2022
Get ready for the rainfall.
Please help prevent pooling & localized flooding by REMOVING SNOW AND ICE from STORM DRAINS, CATCH BASINS & GUTTERS on/near your property & on the street(s) around your property.
Thank you
Info: https://t.co/5O0duWTjyl#RichmondBC #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/BBYQikLzh6— City of Richmond BC (@Richmond_BC) December 24, 2022
Mainroad Contracting also warns drivers to beware of flooding on roadways.
FLOODING
Be very cautious driving on the mainline and ramps of #LowerMainland highways today. Heavy rain and frozen drains are causing flooding throughout the area. Slow down. @DriveBC @TranBC_Ltd #BCStorm #BCHwy1 #BCHwy91 #BCHwy99 pic.twitter.com/ECyWufWw1U
— Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting (@MainroadLM) December 24, 2022
Rainfall is expected in Metro Vancouver for the next few days, with precipitation in the forecast every day until Wednesday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
