Bomb cyclone to hit B.C. South Coast, wind warnings issued
CBC
A large storm system is on its way to coastal British Columbia on Sunday, prompting high streamflow advisories, wind warnings and concerns for potential power outages and flooding over the next few days.
A bomb cyclone — a low pressure system that brings rain and powerful winds — is expected to hit off shore, close to Vancouver Island and pick up through Sunday afternoon, according to Environment Canada.
Environment Canada forecasts more than 50 millimetres of rain will hit western parts of Vancouver Island by Tuesday, while Metro Vancouver and other parts of the southern coast will get closer to 30 millimetres.
The forecast has prompted the provincial River Forecast Centre to issue a high streamflow advisory for Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound and the Lower Mainland.
But experts say B.C. isn't likely to see flooding anywhere near as devastating as the atmospheric river that submerged parts of Abbotsford and washed out highways in November 2021.
"It's mostly going to be a wind event with this storm and [it] is also going to bring some rain but not warning level amounts of rains," said Louis Kohanyi, a meterologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"We're looking at the winds gusting 80 to 100 kilometers per hour, and it's going to be even windier for North Vancouver Island."
The forecaster has issued a wind warning for parts of the Sunshine Coast and the north, east and western portions of Vancouver Island on Sunday.
A special weather statement also warns of strong winds on the southern tip of the island, with Environment Canada saying the "significant fall storm" means it will remain windy on Monday.
B.C. residents should be prepared for high winds and fallen trees to cause potential power outages, with spare batteries, candles, non perishable food and clean water, said Brent Ward, co-director of Simon Fraser University's Centre for Natural Hazard Studies.
While rain is welcome amid historic drought conditions and wildfires across B.C., Environment Canada says there won't be enough in the north and Interior to completely douse wildfires.
And experts say the heavy rainfall carries flooding risks for already damaged ecosystems on Vancouver Island and across the southern coast.
Ward said B.C. could see localized flooding in some areas, particularly on Metro Vancouver's North Shore in areas like Mosquito Creek and McKay Creek — where water levels can rise quite quickly.
"Because we haven't had a lot of rain in a long time, some culverts might plug around roadways," said Ward. "So you could easily see pooling water on the road surface, which is always a concern."
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