Flooding and Power Outages Hit B.C. as Heavy Rain Triggers Warnings

Vancouver: Thousands of residents across British Columbia’s Lower Mainland were left without electricity Monday as another round of heavy rainfall swept through the region, prompting flood warnings for parts of the Fraser Valley and North Shore Mountains.

Environment Canada issued orange-level rainfall warnings for areas including Abbotsford, Chilliwack and the Skagit Valley, with forecasts of up to 80 millimetres of rain in higher elevations. The warnings indicate severe weather likely to cause significant damage or disruption. Yellow-level rainfall warnings remain in effect for Metro Vancouver, the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Vancouver Island and the central and north coast.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre upgraded the Chilliwack River and its tributaries, as well as the North Shore Mountains, to flood warning status. Officials say river levels have exceeded or are expected to exceed banks, leading to localized flooding. Rainfall rates above 10 millimetres per hour, combined with warmer temperatures melting snowpack at higher elevations, have increased flood risks.

Forecasters expect the heaviest rain during the day Monday, with conditions improving by evening.