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A coastal flooding alert is in place this weekend for B.C.’s South Coast, including Metro Vancouver and parts of southern Vancouver Island.
Environment Canada issued the alert Thursday, stating abnormal high tides combined with low pressure may produce minor to moderate coastal flooding.
The coastal water levels are forecasted to be the highest in Vancouver in the last four years, according to the City of Vancouver.
Environment Canada said the South Coast is “entering a period of high astronomical tides” as the Earth comes to its closest point to the Sun (the “perihelion”) at the same time as a low pressure system is crossing the region.
“This falling atmospheric pressure will help further elevate coastal water levels beyond predicted tides, thus increasing the risk of coastal flooding.”
The agency expects the highest risk of flooding on Sunday, though noted the exact timing of the low pressure centre remains uncertain.
There is a risk of “locally significant flooding,” and roads and walkways may be difficult to navigate due to flooding or debris, according to the Environment Canada.
The City of Vancouver said shorelines along the Fraser River, the Burrard Inlet including English Bay and some adjacent low-lying areas could be affected, according to a bulletin Friday.
It said water levels are expected to be at their highest on Sunday at around 7:30 a.m. PT.
Neighbourhoods including Southlands, the South Vancouver Industrial Area and Locarno Beach will be at an elevated flood risk.
Vancouver’s Seawall remains open.
Crews will inspect tide gates and use a drone to assess the condition of the Southlands shoreline dike, according to the bulletin.
The city says extra shelter spaces will be open due to the heavy rainfall and colder temperatures.
The city recommends residents and businesses in low-lying areas to keep watch for heavy rainfall and pooling water, and asks residents to avoid impacted shorelines.
It also reminded residents not to walk, bike, drive or swim through flood waters.
Avalanche danger
Avalanche Canada is warning the stormy weather has created potentially dangerous conditions that could cause avalanches on Saturday and Sunday in alpine areas on Vancouver’s North Shore mountains and the Gibsons area, along with an area east of Prince George, while the risk is considerable between Squamish and Whistler.
The agency says the risk is also considerable, or level three-out-of-five on its avalanche danger-rating scale, from the Nakusp area to mountains north of Prince George, along with an area north of Smithers in northwestern B.C.
The danger in the area is ranked as “high” — the fourth-highest risk category on a scale of five — meaning natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely.
It recommended avoiding travel to avalanche terrain.
