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Rain expected to continue through the weekend

The downpour on Friday provided a reminder that cooler wetter weather is arriving on Vancouver Island.
leaves in drain
The City of Victoria sent out a social-media message reminding people to help keep storm drains open to prevent flooding. CITY OF VICTORIA VIA TWITTER

The downpour on Friday provided a reminder that cooler wetter weather is arriving on Vancouver Island.

Rain continued on and off through the day Friday, with Environment Canada predicting a 60 per cent chance of showers today and a 30 per cent chance of rain on Sunday.

Today’s high in Victoria is expected to reach 11 C and a high of 10 C is forecast for Sunday.

Heavy continuing rains often spurs demands for sump pumps but on Friday, “It was pretty quiet for pumps,” said Mike Burgess at Saanich Rentals, 1554 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.

“But we sent out a lot of fans and dehumidifiers” to tackle flooding in basements and crawl spaces, he said.

City of Victoria public works crews had been busy preparing for the rain by carrying out tasks such as clearing out catch basins.

The city sent out a social-media message reminding people to help keep storm drains open to prevent flooding. Leaves and debris should be kept away from storm drains, it said. Residents were asked to clear a channel on the street and not to pile yard waste near the drains.

Residents needing help can call public works at 250-261-0400.

In Nanaimo, rain pounded down on Friday but by early evening it had turned into light showers that were expected to last through the evening.

“We didn’t get as much as you would have thought,” said Mayor Leonard Krog. “It was windy and the streets were running with water for a while, but we had expected worse I think.”

“We didn’t get a pass, but we didn’t get a pounding either.”

Today is predicted to reach a high of 17 C in Nanaimo, but there is a 70 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon with thunderstorms.

Sunday’s forecast is for a cloudy day with a 60 per cent chance of showers and a high of 15 C.