Vancouver Island under flood watch as up to 200 mm of rain expected
Environment Canada has issued new rainfall warnings for parts of Vancouver Island as another atmospheric river is expected to dump up to 200 millimetres of precipitation over the coming days.
Northern and western Vancouver Island will be hit especially hard, particularly the region from Tofino north to Tahsis and Zeballos.
The rain is expected to become heavy Monday evening over the North Island, then spread to the West Island early Tuesday morning, according to the weather service.
The heavy rains will persist through Wednesday. Strong southerly winds are also likely, especially over exposed coastal regions Tuesday.
"Heavy downpours can cause water pooling on roads," Environment Canada warned. "Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Rising freezing levels and snowmelt may contribute to increased runoff."
FLOOD WATCHES FOR ALL REGIONS
The warning comes as the B.C. River Forecast Centre issued flood watches for all regions of Vancouver Island.
A flood watch means "river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull," according to the forecast centre, which adds that "flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur."
The centre said Monday that the "third in a series of atmospheric rivers" means river levels on the island "are expected to see rapid rises on Tuesday and through Wednesday."
Residents are advised to avoid fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.