Atmospheric River

Environment Canada has downgraded a rainfall warning for parts of Metro Vancouver, but B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has added a flood watch for the Sumas area as a series of atmospheric rivers deluge the province’s South Coast. A person rides their bicycle in the rain at Locarno Beach in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Flood watch expanded as more atmospheric rivers head for B.C.’s south coast

Sumas Prairie now an area of concern as well, says B.C. River Forecast Centre

 

A person carries an umbrella as heavy rain falls in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. Balmy weather and a series of rainstorms forecast for British Columbia’s South Coast have set off flood advisories for rivers, streams and low-lying areas.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Atmospheric rivers roll over B.C., melting snow and triggering flood warnings

Between 200 and 300 millimetres of rain expected through to next week

 

Environment Canada says a heavy rain storm it’s calling an atmospheric river is forecast to hit southern British Columbia Monday. Waves pound Ogden Point breakwater during the first major storm of the year in Victoria, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Atmospheric river to bring heavy rain to southern B.C.: Environment Canada

The storm, which is set to hit Monday, won’t be as powerful as in November 2021, forecasters say

 

Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)

‘Bigger, stronger, better’: climate-ready Coquihalla repairs complete

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said ‘extraordinary’ work makes Highway 5 climate-resilient

Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Richard Holmes stands on what’s left of his driveway after it was washed away during the floods and mudslides in November 2021. After nearly two years, he and other Chilliwack River Valley residents are still without resolution after their homes were deemed unsafe to live in, or destroyed. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

‘2 years, no action’: Flood-ravaged Fraser Valley homeowners left in ‘limbo’

Lack of help in wake of atmospheric river ‘complete failure to act on the part of government’: owner

Richard Holmes stands on what’s left of his driveway after it was washed away during the floods and mudslides in November 2021. After nearly two years, he and other Chilliwack River Valley residents are still without resolution after their homes were deemed unsafe to live in, or destroyed. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
The 2021 atmospheric river caused flooding and landslides across the province, including in Merritt, where the city’s dikes failed. An FOI request shows issues with Merritt’s dikes were known for several years in advance, but nothing was done. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dike reports to province showed repair needs for years before 2021 floods: FOI

Under B.C.’s Dike Maintenance Act, oversight and upkeep is up to local authorities

The 2021 atmospheric river caused flooding and landslides across the province, including in Merritt, where the city’s dikes failed. An FOI request shows issues with Merritt’s dikes were known for several years in advance, but nothing was done. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A driver braved a waterlogged stretch of 208th Street north of Walnut Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, during a series of atmospheric rivers. Other drivers were not lucky enough to make it through, including one who challenged an ICBC deductible through a Civil Resolution Tribunal. (Langley Advance Times files)

Driver loses ICBC fight after car conked out on flooded Langley road

Tribunal finds driver was at fault for heading into high water

A driver braved a waterlogged stretch of 208th Street north of Walnut Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, during a series of atmospheric rivers. Other drivers were not lucky enough to make it through, including one who challenged an ICBC deductible through a Civil Resolution Tribunal. (Langley Advance Times files)
A temporary one-lane bridge being built across the Nicola River at IR7 near Osprey Ranch. The highway used to follow the base of the cliff, before the atmospheric river of November 2021. (Photo credit: Geoff Bannoff)

Ranch sign swept away in B.C.’s 2021 floods found after 350 km journey

Sign lost near Spences Bridge recovered on Sunshine Coast 14 months later

A temporary one-lane bridge being built across the Nicola River at IR7 near Osprey Ranch. The highway used to follow the base of the cliff, before the atmospheric river of November 2021. (Photo credit: Geoff Bannoff)
Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, released an annual report Nov. 22, 2022 revealing the price tags on the province’s 2021 disasters and pandemic relief funds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Billions: B.C. auditor highlights costs of 2021 disasters, pandemic relief payments

Province owed nearly $10.5 million from people who wrongfully collected COVID relief funds: report

Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, released an annual report Nov. 22, 2022 revealing the price tags on the province’s 2021 disasters and pandemic relief funds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Debris from receding flood waters is pictured along a road as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Abbotsford, Nov. 30, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

One year after disastrous B.C. flooding, fear of new climate disasters loom

Human-induced climate change greatly increasing risk of such events, says UVic scientist

Debris from receding flood waters is pictured along a road as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Abbotsford, Nov. 30, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Snow is forecast to land in northern communities and along southern mountain passes beginning Nov. 3, according to Environment Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rainfall, snow warnings promise poor driving conditions for much of B.C.

Season’s first real snowfall expected in northern communities and southern mountain passes

Snow is forecast to land in northern communities and along southern mountain passes beginning Nov. 3, according to Environment Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gravel removal in the Vedder River was last permitted in the summer of 2016. (Chris Gadsden file photo)

Sediment removal to start on Vedder River near Chilliwack for flood mitigation

Atmospheric rivers washed 440,000 cubic metres of sediment into the Vedder River and Vedder Canal

Gravel removal in the Vedder River was last permitted in the summer of 2016. (Chris Gadsden file photo)
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Feds deliver $870M of promised $5B disaster recovery fund to B.C.

Money to go to rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by 2021’s fires, floods

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair arrives at a news conference Tuesday June 9, 2020 in Ottawa. Blair announced an advance payment of $870 million for B.C.’s disaster recovery efforts July 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Another atmospheric river event will hit the Lower Mainland Tuesday through Wednesday night.

Another Atmospheric river to pour down on Lower Mainland

Environment Canada issues special weather statement for storm arriving Tuesday afternoon

Another atmospheric river event will hit the Lower Mainland Tuesday through Wednesday night.
Flooding of a Sumas Prairie farm on Nov. 23. The family farm owners don’t expect to be able to access their property for a few weeks. (Tiffany de Leeuw/CP photo)

B.C. flood warning system inadequate, understaffed: Report

Shortfall of river forecasting staff resources cited back in 2010

Flooding of a Sumas Prairie farm on Nov. 23. The family farm owners don’t expect to be able to access their property for a few weeks. (Tiffany de Leeuw/CP photo)
British Columbians are again expected to see an atmospheric river event Nov. 30, and into Dec. 1, with some areas seeing 120 mm of rain. Highway closures will be coming due to this, says Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation. Pictured here a truck in the Abbotsford area Nov. 29. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

More B.C. highway closures announced in anticipation of heavy rains

Highway 99 to close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, between Pemberton and Lillooet

British Columbians are again expected to see an atmospheric river event Nov. 30, and into Dec. 1, with some areas seeing 120 mm of rain. Highway closures will be coming due to this, says Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation. Pictured here a truck in the Abbotsford area Nov. 29. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
FILE – A boat speeds along a flooded highway 1 in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

More atmospheric rivers set to pummel southern B.C.

‘These are non-negligible totals and likely to exacerbate the conditions on the ground,’ says top meteorologist

FILE – A boat speeds along a flooded highway 1 in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward