Heavy rainfall warning issued for majority of Vancouver Island

Environment Canada has issued a heavy rainfall warning for the majority of Vancouver Island. 

A “Yellow Warning” has been issued for the inland, north and west regions of Vancouver Island due to heavy rainfall. 

Specifically, the heavy rain will impact North Vancouver Island near Port Alice, West Vancouver Island northwest of Barkley Sound and Inland Vancouver Island near Gold River.

According to the national weather authority, total rainfall accumulations will be between 80 to 120 millimetres, and up to 150 millimetres over higher terrain.

Environment Canada predicts that the rainfall warning will be in effect between the afternoon of Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th. 

“A potent low pressure system will drench parts of West Vancouver Island and Inland Vancouver Island beginning this afternoon,” said an Environment Canada spokesperson. 

“The heaviest rainfall is expected from midnight tonight through Friday morning, with rainfall rates possibly reaching up to or over 10 mm/h for several hours.”

The highest rainfall amounts have been forecast between Tofino and northwards and will spread inland to Port Alice, Zeballos, Tahsis and Gold River.

Residents of the impacted areas are being warned that localized flooding is possible and may cause some roads to become impassable. 

People are warned to stay away from rivers, creeks and culverts.

The weather authority says that this is the first potent storm in a series of wet, windy weather systems slated to impact the BC coast well into next week.