With heavy rain and 80 km/h winds expected to pummel the North Shore this weekend, North and West Vancouver residents are being asked batten down the hatches and clear out their gutters.
The winds may topple trees and take down power lines, according to a release from Environment Canada. Strong gusts are expected to blow through the North Shore Friday morning. However, a more powerful storm may hit on Saturday, with harsh winds and heavy rainfall expected.
Saturday’s storm has proved a challenge to track, and could hit anywhere between the state of Washington and Vancouver Island, according to Environment Canada.
Approximately 100 millimetres of rain is expected to pelt the North Shore before the storm ends, with the largest accumulation expected closer to the mountains.
Flash floods and pools forming on roads are expected.
The District of North Vancouver is asking residents to clear debris around drains, remove leaves from roofs and gutters, and ensure downspouts are connected.
Residents are also reminded to have flashlights and emergency provisions on hand in case of a prolonged power outage.
The District of North Vancouver is currently building a sediment control basin on Kilmer Creek to help prevent flooding.
“We’re trying to control the amount of debris and sediment that comes down the mountainside before it reaches the storm drainage infrastructure and plugs everything up,” explained district public safety manager Fiona Dercole.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for the Seymour River. While heavy rainfall didn’t quite materialize Wednesday, Environment Canada is still anticipating more than 100 millimetres of rainfall from the storms. Flooding is most likely Saturday and Sunday, according to the forecast centre.
With flooding a possibility, parents are reminded to carefully monitor children who play in the vicinity of rivers and streams, according to a statement issued by North Vancouver school district superintendent Mark Pearmain.
A 2014 deluge forced 17 Lynn Valley homes to be evacuated after 20 millimetres of rain fell in two hours, causing Hastings Creek to overflow and send a torrent into the neighbourhood.
Drivers should be watchful for pedestrians during and after the storm, noted District of West Vancouver spokesman Jeff McDonald.
“It’s important that drivers slow down a little during rainstorms when visibility is low,” he said.
Roadway maintenance company Mainroad is scheduled to patrol the North Shore for highway flooding for the next few days, according to a release from the company.
Anyone who observes a trouble spot can call Mainroad at 1-866-904-0209.
The North Shore’s Emergency Operation Centre – which functions as mission control during an emergency – is on standby, McDonald said.
Residents are reminded to check in on their neighbours.
The Grouse Grind closed Thursday due to the storms.
To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports to #BCStorm.
