Heavy rain and poor driving conditions have led to a dramatic increase in crashes and pedestrian accidents, say Vancouver police.
Over the last 24 hours, officers have responded to 40 collisions, nine of those involving pedestrians and two with cyclists. Officers only respond to collisions involving injuries or significant property damage.
“It appears that the shorter days and inclement weather is taking its toll and potentially causing an increase in the number of collisions,” said VPD spokesman Sgt. Randy Fincham, in an email on Wednesday.
He urged pedestrians and cyclists to make eye contact with drivers, wear bright colours and be cautious of their surroundings, before venturing into the street. There’s an average of 64 collisions resulting in injury or death in Metro Vancouver in December when driving conditions typically worsen, according to ICBC.
The Vancouver area had a break from heavy rain on Wednesday morning, but it won’t last for long, say weather forecasters.
Environment Canada posted a rainfall warning for the region on Wednesday morning, saying the weather will intensify later in the day, with between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain expected.
A similar warning was issued on Tuesday for the Fraser Valley and that remains in effect.
The agency warned that the ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible, the warning stated.
Showers are likely to continue tonight and tomorrow, with another 25 millimetres expected to fall in most areas and 40 millimetres near the mountains.
Forecasters predict Friday will be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers.
All that rain should dry up on the weekend though, as the forecast calls for sunshine on both Saturday and Sunday. With the clear skies, however, the freezing temperatures return.
Environment Canada says it could dip to as low as minus 5 degrees C.
Meanwhile, a heavy snowfall warning is in effect for Prince George. Between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow is expected by Thursday morning.
The snow will ease to flurries by Thursday afternoon.
Be cautious on the roads. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.
Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.
For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/.
