WATCH: The community of Lions Bay has no running water, thanks to the recent storms. Aaron McArthur reports on how the community is coping.
Many parts of the South Coast and Vancouver Island are still cleaning up after two consecutive days of heavy rains and high wind and yet, another storm is on its way.
The next storm is already hitting the South Coast but the worst is yet to come, says Global News meteorologist Kristi Gordon.
The biggest concern with the oncoming storm will be the winds. Gordon says this storm is caused by the low pressure centre crossing the South Coast this evening.
Wind warnings are in effect for the following areas: Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Greater Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands.
Gordon says to expect southeast winds from 60 to 80 km/h throughout the evening hours and then they’ll eventually shift to southwest overnight. Winds should ease off by early tomorrow morning.
The biggest concern with high winds is power outages and falling debris especially across southern sections of the Lower Mainland (Tsawwassen, White Rock and Abbotsford).
Along with the strong winds will be a significant amount of rain, approximately 30 to 40 mm by tomorrow morning.
The BC River Forecast Centre is downgrading the flood watch for the following areas:
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- Tsolum River including small streams in the Courtenay-Comox region (downgraded)
- Oyster River (downgraded)
- Englishman River
- Central Vancouver Island (including the Somass, Ash, Sproat, and Taylor Rivers and surrounding areas near Port Alberni)
The centre has also reported the following updates for high streamflow advisory in these areas:
- Kingcome River (downgraded)
- West Vancouver Island
- East Vancouver Island (including the Cowichan River, Nanaimo River, and surrounding river systems)
- North Vancouver Island (including the Salmon River and other small watersheds)
- Central Coast
A boil water advisory has been issued for the City of Nanaimo due to the recent heavy rains. As a precaution, the city said water users should boil their drinking water for one minute at a rolling boil. For more information, check the city’s website. The boil water advisory is expected to last a few days.
Courtenay and Lions Bay communities have also been issued a boil water advisory. The Village of Lions Bay said their water system has been severely compromised as a result of the massive debris flows in all creeks this week. Both water intakes remain offline and the Village will be out of water once the Harvey and Magnesia water tanks empty. The degree of damage and the stability of the site is severe enough that Public Works crews are not currently able to access by foot due to safety concerns. The earliest we anticipate access to the site is Monday, December 15th.
A temporary emergency update line has been set up. Residents may call (604) 834-3404 to obtain the most up-to-date information on this crisis situation.
The ESS Reception Centre will be activated at the Village Hall where staff and volunteers will be on-hand to supply bottled drinking water to residents. As soon as the reception centre is open, notification will be posted on notice boards, sent by ePost and updated on the temporary emergency line.
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