River levels on Vancouver Island are expected to rise rapidly and cause minor flooding in low-lying areas next week as an atmospheric river hits the B.C. coast.
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship’s River Forecast Centre issued a high-streamflow advisory on Saturday for most of coastal B.C., including Vancouver Island, in anticipation of the heavy storm.
The advisory follows a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada on Friday warning of high ocean levels on the Saanich Peninsula and the southern Gulf Islands over the weekend due to tide conditions and dropping barometric pressure.
The centre is forecasting water levels to peak on Tuesday into Wednesday. West Vancouver Island will be the hardest hit area on the Island, as 150 to 300 mm of rain is expected to fall on Monday and Tuesday.
Minor flooding in low-lying areas is expected, with more localized flooding in areas with poor drainage, the centre said.
“The upcoming storm system should be regarded with a high degree of caution,” the centre warned in a statement, adding that even small shifts in storm trajectories could greatly increase the risk of flooding.
