Torrential rain set to hit B.C.'s South Coast, prompting flood warnings

The latest atmospheric river to wash over British Columbia is expected to soak parts of the South Coast with as much as 150 millimetres of rain in a series of waves that Environment Canada says won't relent until Thursday.

Rainfall warnings are in place across the west coast of Vancouver Island and the inner South Coast, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

The storm's first torrent on Tuesday is expected to be followed by a second intense gush Wednesday and a final one early Thursday, saysthe weather office.

Forecasters warned warmer temperatures accompanying the storm couldpush freezing levels as high as 2,500 metres by Wednesday, melting mid-level snowpacks and swelling waterways.

Emergency Management B.C.is urginghomeowners to prepare for potential floods by clearing storm drains, cleaning gutters and confirming where sandbags can be picked up from local governments.

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Efforts to shore up B.C. flood protection ahead of heavy rainfall

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With another atmospheric river and torrential rainfall on the way, low-lying communities such as Richmond, B.C., are working to strengthen dykes and drainage systems to keep flood waters at bay.

High streamflow advisories have been posted across all of Vancouver Island and the South Coast.

On Tuesday, the province extended its flood-related state of emergencyby a week. First declared in November, it was set to expire on Jan. 11 after being extended once. It will now last until the end of day on Jan. 18.

Travel advisories from the last storm event remain in place, with restricted travel on Highways 5 and 99 due to mudslide damage and washouts.

High avalanche risk

Meanwhile, Avalanche Canada raised the risk of a slideon Vancouver Island, South Coast and Sea-to-Sky mountains to high, meaning very dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

"Wait out this storm,'' said a post on the Avalanche Canada website, advising that travel on southern coastal mountains was not recommended until conditions improve.

"Expect loose, wet avalanches to be widespread at all elevations, and easily triggered,'' the site said.

The B.C. government has closed a section of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon due to avalanche risk. Travel is not permitted on this route, between Yale and Boston Bar, until further notice.

Although the city of Abbotsford, which was badly damaged during catastrophic flooding in November, was covered by rain warnings linked to the storm, forecasts showthe region willlikely dodge the worst of the downpours.

Environment Canada says that part of the Fraser Valley could see no more than 10 millimetresof rain Tuesday, up to 40 millimetresovernight and a maximum of 20 millimetresWednesday.

Abbotsford remains under a state of emergency, which was declared as rivers rose amid torrential rain in mid-November, and the city hastold residents in low-lying areas to prepare for the potential of localized flooding.

The provincial government has urged people living in flood zones to be prepared with a grab-and-go bag for each household member in case they are forced to evacuate

For the latest weather alerts, visit Environment Canadaand for up-to-date road conditions provincewide, visit DriveBC.ca