North Shore residents are being asked to brace for “extreme rainfall” as a series of storms blows through the Lower Mainland.
District of North Vancouver crews were prepping on Monday afternoon for what could be a very busy few days, according to Gavin Joyce, the district’s manager of engineering, parks and facilities.
“I just got off a conference call with (Environment Canada) and they are expressing concern that this is a subtropical storm and it is significant in size and what it will bring,” Joyce said Monday afternoon. “It’s three or four days and we’re looking 380 millimetres at the peak of Seymour. That is a significant event bringing not just extreme rain but also strong winds.”
Winds are expected to gust upwards of 70 to 100 kilometres per hour, Joyce said. Environment Canada is warning of possible flash floods, pooling water on roads and washouts near culverts.
The district has heavy equipment, extra staff, consultants and more than 1,000 sandbags waiting on standby, Joyce said. In early November, parts of Lynn Valley and Deep Cove flooded when 164 millimetres of rain fell over 24 hours, causing Hastings and Kilmer Creeks to swell above the road level.
“In public works, we’ll have crews out 24 hours solid, checking out problem areas,” he said.
As of now, there are not specific concerns about landslides, Joyce said, but staff will also be monitoring the amount of soil saturation.
Residents and business owners are being asked to help by checking the storm drains near their properties and clearing any leaves or debris that may be blocking them.
After-hours emergencies should be reported to the district by calling 604-990-3666.
Beyond the storm posing a risk of flooding, the North Shore’s creeks and rivers are expected to be especially dangerous.
“Please exercise extreme caution and keep yourself and your pets away from the water’s edge. We are expecting elevated water levels, swift moving currents and possible bank erosion,” a warning posted to the district website stated.
