Province prepares for another extreme storm event that may have ‘spillover effects’ for the Interior

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“There will be some lulls, but we do expect some very high quantities of rain, upwards of 100 millimetres in Howe Sound on the North Shore, 150 [millimetres ] on the outside (west coast) of Vancouver Island and the central coast, and deeper inland as well, so Bella Coola could see up to 120 millimetres.”

Election 2026

Lawyer and community leader to run for Vernon City Council

6h ago

Mechanical Issues

Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again

18h ago

Commonage Crash

Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon

22h ago

The meteorologist added that there will be a ‘spillover’ effect at the coastal mountains, which may impact the watersheds in the Interior.

“So the Coquihalla Summit and, not reaching, but getting towards Princeton and Merritt. So again this event is very strong. It’s the third consecutive storm in a week with very little respite in between these events, so the effects are cumulative,” Castellan explained.

“In addition, the freezing levels are climbing currently, perhaps up to 3,000 metres, [which is] higher than the last two events, so snow melt is also a component of this event and will add to the storm totals of rain into the rivers and creeks.”

He said that Environment Canada, Avalanche Canada and the Ministry of Transportation will work together to monitor the impacts of the storm on snowpacks, and will work in collaboration through the winter so that “all best-case decisions can be made according to the avalanche risk.”

Castellan added that, following this storm event, the province will be relatively dry for the next two days. Another smaller system is expected to hit B.C.’s coast Friday evening, though the level of precipitation from this storm is expected to be significantly lower than those of the previous atmospheric rivers.

Minister of Public Safety, Mike Farnworth, said preparations are underway to protect communities and prevent flooding, mudslides, and road damage.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure communities have the resources and supports that they need,” Farnworth told the provincial flood update.

“Emergency Management B.C. and an army of local government staff and community volunteers are ensuring shelter, food, medication and other resources are available to those in need. As well as sandbags, emergency kits, livestock feed, fuel and other supplies, we are coordinating additional supports and services from the federal government and from non-governmental organizations and industry.”

Farnworth added that crews are working to ensure dykes and dams are up to standard and can protect essential infrastructure, residences and farmland from the coming storm.

Road work is also ongoing as the province tries to reopen and keep routes available to move essential goods and services through the province.

Farnworth said over 500 Canadian Armed Forces members have been dispatched throughout the province’s most hard-hit regions to help with sandbagging; moving tiger dams and other equipment; transporting residents to their homes to retrieve important belongings; and helping people winterize their properties. They are also helping move health personnel between Chilliwack and Abbotsford so people can access health services.

The province has also proactively closed roadways that may be at risk of flooding or landslides.

Transportation Minister Fleming said the cleanup of Highways 3 and 99 has been completed and the roadways were reopened Monday, but he said both those routes fall under the travel ordinance for essential traffic only, and some new restrictions are coming down.

“Since reopening, traffic has generally flowed well on both highways, however, given current forecasts, we are going to have to close Highway 99 once again between Pemberton and Lillooet. That will happen at 4 p.m. [Tuesday, Nov. 30],” said Fleming.

He added that with Highway 1 being closed in two Lower Mainland locations, high traffic volume and delays could be expected on Highways 3 and 7.

Fleming also reminded the public the road conditions on these routes are not the same quality as they were before the first big storm, and some commercial truck drivers may not be familiar with the routes, prompting him to ask that all commuters “please slow down, please be patient, accept that it will take longer, and drive according to current conditions.”

The province has also bolstered the supports and equipment in the Bella Coola Valley, as the upcoming storm could potentially create some hazards on Highway 20.

Residents in the Lower Mainland and along the coast where the storm is expected to hit the hardest are advised to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel while this storm makes its way over the province. People are also advised to watch for weather alerts from Environment Canada, and to be prepared to leave their homes immediately if their municipality issues an evacuation order.