Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands and West Vancouver Island, and a flood warning for East Vancouver Island Tuesday morning.
The wind warnings for Greater Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands warn of southeast winds of up to 70 km/h gusting up to 90. The winds will then shift to westerly at 70 km/h gusting to 90 overnight.
This warning is for the areas adjacent to the Haro Strait Tuesday morning, and near the Juan de Fuca Strait overnight.
For West Vancouver Island, northwesterly winds of up to 100 km/h are forecast.
“High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break. High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches,” the notice says.
For East Vancouver Island, Environment Canada is warning that areas between Courtenay to Campbell River, Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay have a risk of coastal flooding in low-lying areas near the coast.
This is expected near high tide Tuesday morning.
“There is a high confidence of coastal flooding near the Strait of Georgia near high tide this morning. These water levels can cause damage to coastal infrastructure in low lying areas, especially at locations prone to impacts during similar events in the past,” the flood notice says.
“Swells and enhanced wave action carrying debris may cause damage to coastal infrastructure. East to southeast facing coastline may see larger waves and higher localized flooding.”
On Monday, B.C.’s Ministry of Forests maintained a flood watch in place for south, east, west and central Vancouver Island, and a high streamflow advisory for north Vancouver Island.
“High flows on Tuesday (December 27th) are anticipated to coincide with high tides, storm surge and high winds,” a notice on the Ministry of Forest’s River Forecast Centre says.
“This may exacerbate flood hazard in rivers at the outlet and ocean interface, particularly through the morning (high tide at approximately 9:00AM). This would include the Courtenay River, Englishman River, Cowichan River as well as other river outlets, particularly along the east side of Vancouver Island.”
READ MORE: Thousands without power on Vancouver Island as wind wreaks havoc
Laura Brougham
