B.C. floods: Residents urged to prepare for 3rd storm, avoid non-essential travel
British Columbians are being urged to prepare and avoid non-essential travel over the next day as the province braces for the next atmospheric river.
B.C.'s public safety and transportation ministers gave the update during a briefing Tuesday on the ongoing flood situation in the province.
B.C. is bracing for its third atmospheric river in less than a week to arrive on Tuesday, delivering more heavy rain to communities that remain flooded from previous storms.
"There is uncertainty about this next storm as the forecast models do vary," Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said. "For now, what people should do is to get prepared. Being prepared makes a huge difference."
Farnworth urged residents to stay home if they can.
"The best approach is to avoid non-essential travel and wait out the weather," he said, adding that the province "is not in the clear yet."
In anticipation of worsening conditions, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming announced Highway 99 between Pemberton an Lillooet would close Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Highway 1 remains closed between Abbotsford and Chilliwack and between Popkum and Hope, meaning Highway 3 and Highway 7 will be the only major routes connecting the Lower Mainland and Interior after Highway 99 shuts down.
Even some routes that are open are subject to travel orders.
RAINFALL WARNING IN PLACE
Environment and Climate Change Canada's rainfall warning for the South Coast says as much as 120 millimetres of rain could fall near the North Shore. Other parts of Metro Vancouver could see up to 80 millimetres. Meanwhile, parts of Vancouver Island are forecast to see 100 to 150 millimetres.
ECCC's warning preparedness meteorologist Armel Castellan said this next atmospheric river will be a "very strong" event, and will continue through Wednesday.
Castellan said there hasn't been much of a break between the recent atmospheric rivers, meaning "the effects are cumulative."
David Campbell of the River Forecast Centre said Tuesday officials are watching conditions closely, adding there's a chance of "new flooding issues throughout the South Coast region." Campbell said the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and Central Coast could be impacted.
The latest update came the day after Farnworth extended the province's state of emergency due to the ongoing flooding situation. He also extended the gas rationing order until Dec. 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.