Powerful rainstorm may cause flooding in parts of Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island
An “aggressive” snow melt combined with heavy rain could cause flooding in parts of Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for 50 to 100 millimetres that’s expected to fall late Tuesday evening and into Wednesday night.
“The atmospheric river will hit in three pulses,” said meteorologist Bobby Sekhon.
The snow on the mountains isn’t the issue this time. It is deep enough that it should be able to absorb moisture, and that’s why both the River Forecast Centre and Environment Canada don’t believe the storm will cause the same devastation B.C. faced in November.
“The rainfall itself would probably show up as being a fairly run-of-the-mill moderate storm event,” said Dave Campbell, director of the River Forecast Centre.
Instead, it’s all the snow that’s covered Metro Vancouver streets over the past few weeks, combined with incoming rain, that has forecasters wary.
“So where there might be poor drainage, or flat agricultural land, we could see some flooding,” added Sekhon.
The B.C. government and local municipalities are urging the public get ready for the storm. People are also being warned to stay away from rivers and streams.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec confirms first two cases of monkeypox; 20 other suspected cases under investigation
Quebec's health ministry announced Thursday evening there are two confirmed cases of monkeypox in the province, while 20 other suspected cases are still under investigation.

Why Canada is banning Huawei from participating in Canada's 5G network
The federal government is banning China's Huawei Technologies from involvement in Canada's 5G wireless network.
Stakes are high for farmers as 2022 crop shapes up to be most expensive in history
The stakes are high as Canadian farmers take to the fields to plant 2022's crop, which some are saying could find a place in the record books as 'the most expensive ever.'
'Holy grail of all finds': Ottawa boy finds gun while magnet fishing in creek
A 12-year-old Ottawa boy is sharing his story after a magnet fishing trip turned up an unexpected find.
Prince Charles and Camilla wrap Canadian tour but calls for reconciliation continue
A whirlwind visit by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has ended but the calls for meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples have not.
Do COVID-19 rapid tests work on Omicron?
A recent study revealed that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests may be less sensitive to newer variants, leaving some to wonder just how accurate these tests actually are. Experts share how to get the most accurate results when testing for the virus.
Elon Musk denies he sexually harassed flight attendant on private jet: report
Billionaire Elon Musk took to Twitter late on Thursday to denounce as 'utterly untrue' claims in a news report that he had sexually harassed a flight attendant on a private jet in 2016.
Canadian study finds blocking inflammation may lead to chronic pain
A new Canadian study has found that using anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids after injury may actually increase the chances of developing chronic pain.
U.S. accuses Russia of weaponizing food in Ukraine war
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia on Thursday of weaponizing food and holding grain for millions of people around the world hostage to help accomplish what its invasion of Ukraine has not -- 'to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people.'