A woman strolls with her dog in the rain at Locarno Beach, Vancouver, dated November 11, 2023. Weather authorities have issued warnings about potential flooding in the Sumas region of the Fraser Valley on the upcoming Sunday. (Photo credit: Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)
On Sunday, the River Forecast Centre in British Columbia heightened its flood warning for the Sumas River, a tributary of the Fraser River situated east of Vancouver. The updated bulletin assured that the river's flows are not expected to pose a threat of flooding to Sumas Prairie, an area severely affected by atmospheric rivers in November 2021, causing bridge collapses and fatal landslides.
However, the neighbouring state of Washington faces increased flows on the Nooksack River, reaching the "local flood stage." The bulletin notes observed spillover into the Sumas River watershed near Everson, Wash., approximately 20 kilometres south of Abbotsford. Reassuringly, it anticipates this spillover to be short-lived, as upstream areas of the Nooksack have already peaked and are receding.
The latest atmospheric river episode, delivering 50 to 160 millimetres of rain on the South Coast since Friday, raises concerns for potential flooding and landslides. A special weather statement from Environment Canada cites snowmelt due to above-seasonal temperatures as an additional factor contributing to the risk.
The updated bulletin warns that the heaviest rainfall is expected on Monday, with potential rainstorms persisting until the middle of the week. The statement encompasses Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, the Howe Sound region, and the Sunshine Coast. It underscores the heightened risk of landslides in vulnerable areas where water falls on already-saturated surfaces.
The River Forecast Centre maintains flood watches for Vancouver Island and much of the South Coast, including the Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, and Sea-to-Sky region. Specifically, rivers such as Gold, Salmon, Somass, Englishman, Qualicum, Chemainus, and Cowichan on the island have potential flood risks. On the mainland, the Stawamus, Squamish, Mamquam, and Cheakamus rivers, along with tributaries around the North Shore mountains, Fraser Valley, and Sunshine Coast, are highlighted.
A lower-level streamflow advisory is in effect for the Central Coast. Additionally, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for Kitimat, expecting up to 75 millimetres of rain by Tuesday morning. A wind warning is also in place for Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, with gusts potentially reaching 110 kilometres per hour before easing on Monday.
In Sumas Prairie, Harry Sidhu, a blueberry farm owner, reports flooded fields after heavy rain overnight. Farmers, still recovering from the catastrophic floods in November 2021, express anxiety, stress, and the resurgence of unpleasant memories. They nervously watch the skies as the region faces the potential impact of the ongoing weather events.
