Heavy rain starts to hit Vancouver Island, flooding expected - Times Colonist

Environment Canada has issued a red alert for parts of Vancouver Island and the River Forecast Centre has upgraded many parts of the Island to “flood watch” as the second of three atmospheric rivers — bands of moist air — started to hit the coast Saturday morning.

While Greater Victoria is only expected to see between 25 to 30 millimetres of rain, the west coast of the Island could see up to 130 mm fall over the weekend.

Total rainfall in parts of the west coast of the Island will exceed 100 mm with Port Renfrew in line to receive as much as 130 mm.

As much as 70 mm of rain is expected to fall over the same period on the east coast of the Island around Nanoose Bay, Fanny Bay and the Parksville-Qualicum region.

The agency has issued a special weather alert covering Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast and parts of Vancouver Island.

“Current precipitation forecasts and hydrologic modelling and assessments are indicating the potential for flooding in areas around the south half of Vancouver Island, south of Campbell River and Gold River, with most focused rainfall around Port Renfrew through to Cowichan Lake and the Sooke River watershed,” it said.

The centre said there is potential for flood flows onto the eastern slopes of Vancouver Island, including the Koksilah River, Chemainus River, Cowichan River, Englishman River and surrounding areas.

Fifty to 70 mm of rain is expected to fall over the same period on the east coast of the Island, from Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay, and including Parksville/Qualicum, which was hit especially hard by heavy rainfall about two weeks ago.

Castellan said the first atmospheric river — or band of moist air — arrived on Thursday and was especially strong on the Island’s west coast.

The weekend rain will be followed by “a bit of an unknown” from the third atmospheric river, expected to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday, Castellan said.