Pounding rain sets new records in parts of Metro Vancouver

After Monday’s heavy rain, you might be able to leave the house without an umbrella Tuesday.

The intense storm that rolled through B.C.’s South Coast led to flooding in some low-lying areas of Metro Vancouver as catch-basins couldn’t keep up.

CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says, unsurprisingly, the region set some new records.

“It was really a full day of rain, but especially into the afternoon and evening. Record rainfall amounts for really the entire Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky Country, and onto a good chunk of Vancouver Island, as well. We picked up almost 50 millimetres of rain at YVR, shattering the old record of 35.4 millimeters,” he said.

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Footage posted to social media Monday showed some roads throughout Metro Vancouver flooded, with vehicles trying to cross the roadways.

A parking lot in Vancouver was also the site of flooding, as multiple vehicles, including a full-size truck, were stuck near Still Creek.

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Kuss says everywhere in the Lower Mainland saw at least 40 mm of rain, with the North Shore receiving more than 70 mm.

“The old record was just barely over 50 millimetres. Squamish got over 75 millimetres of precipitation until midnight, with more through the early parts of the overnight.”

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Kennedy Lake Highway Station along Highway 4 just east of Tofino recorded the most rain with 132 millimetres as of 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Pitt Meadows recorded 71.5 mm, smashing its previous record of 47.8 mm. White Rock also saw its record of 36.8 mm — from 1963 — tumble, recording 46.6 mm.

Kuss explains Vancouver was on pace to be one of the driest years on record, “but it only takes one big rainfall like we had yesterday to get us out of that window.”

“It is still going to be a drier than normal year even if we get a couple more storms like the one that just rolled through.