Rainfall Warnings Issued Across Metro Vancouver After Weekend Landslides, Up to 120 mm Expected

A new round of heavy rainfall is hitting parts of British Columbia, with warnings in effect across Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island following a weekend of intense downpours and landslides.

Environment Canada says 75 to 120 millimetres of rain is expected across the region by early Tuesday morning, with up to 180 mm possible on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The heaviest rainfall is forecast for areas near the coastal mountains, and the agency is warning of possible localized flooding in low-lying neighbourhoods. Cities under the warning include Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and Coquitlam.

Landslides Reported in Port Coquitlam

In Port Coquitlam, two small landslides were reported Sunday afternoon on Argue Street, a residential area close to the Fraser River. While no homes were damaged and no evacuations were required, the city says it remains on alert.

"As the ground gets more saturated, the risk tends to go up," said Joshua Frederick, the city’s director of engineering and public works. "We will continue to watch that closely."

Frederick says the city is working with the provincial government to monitor for signs of slope instability as the storm continues.

Tragic Reminder

The current warnings follow a fatal landslide last fall in nearby Coquitlam, where a 57-year-old woman died after her home was swept away during a similar heavy rain event associated with an atmospheric river.

Wider Impact

Environment Canada has also issued a rainfall warning for the west coast of Vancouver Island, including Tofino and Port Renfrew, where up to 180 mm of rain is possible by Tuesday.

The agency is advising residents to keep clear of waterways and storm drains, and to be prepared for possible road closures, power outages, and basement flooding as the storm progresses.