Flood warnings, watches issued as torrential downpour continues on Vancouver Island

Flood warnings, watches issued as torrential downpour continues on Vancouver Island
CHEK
The Englishman River is shown on Nov. 14, 2021.

B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings for the Englishman, Cowichan and Koksilah rivers as a “significant” atmospheric river continues to drench Vancouver Island with rain.

As much as 270 millimetres of rain has fallen across Southern Vancouver Island since Saturday, according to the centre, and that has led to a number of rivers rising rapidly.

Flood watches are also in effect for various other tirbutaries on the South Island, while a streamflow advisory is in effect for Central Vancouver Island including tributaries around Port Alberni, South Vancouver Island, West Vancouver Island and East Vancouver Island.

The Cowichan River is flowing at 510 cubic metres per second and rising at a rate of 30 m3/s, with additional rises expected throughout the day Monday.

The Koksilah River is flowing at 335 m3/s with additional rises expected as well.

The Englishman River near Parksville is flowing at a rate of 174 cubic metres per second and rising, and could reach 280 m3/s later today.

The public is advised to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.

The rain is expected to taper off around Monday afternoon.

The River Forecast Centre says snow melt is expected to add to additional runoff with temperates in the five to seven degree range at automated snow weather stations across the region.

READ MORE: ‘Copious amounts of rain’ expected on Vancouver Island through Monday morning

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