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2024 British Columbia floods

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2024 British Columbia floods
Flooding in Surrey, British Columbia during the storm.
Date18 October 2024 (2024-10-18) – 20 October 2024 (2024-10-20)
LocationSouthern British Columbia, Canada
Northwestern Washington, United States
CauseAtmospheric river
Deaths3[1]
Property damageUnknown[2]

The 2024 British Columbia floods were a series of floods caused by an atmospheric river that affected the coastal regions of Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and southern Vancouver Island that began on October 18, 2024.[3][4] Although the majority of the Lower Mainland has not had any emergency alerts,[5] in the District of North Vancouver, a state of emergency has been issued for some neighbourhoods due to the flooding.[6]

Meteorological synopsis

A strong low pressure system developed in the Gulf of Alaska in the days leading up to the event, pulling a cold front along with it.[7] The motion of the low stalled the cold front and associated moisture plume with heavy rain being observed in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The Olympic Peninsula of Washington state also received heavy rain.[8]

The moisture reached southwestern British Columbia on October 18. It wasn't until October 20 when a new low pressure system captured the cold front and swept the system eastward. Chinook winds were observed in Alberta while heavy precipitation was falling in British Columbia before the system moved eastward and brought snow to Calgary and Edmonton on October 21.[9]

Preparations

A couple days before the floods, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning due to an atmospheric river expected to "drench the B.C. coast" through the weekend of October 18.[10] Official forecasts called for rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm (7.9 in) in some areas. The British Columbia River Forecast Centre issued flood watches for numerous areas and authorities highlighted the risk of landslides and power outages.[11]

Farmers and residents of the Sumas Prairie area between Abbotsford and Chilliwack were "preparing for the worst." This area was especially hard hit by and still recovering from the 2021 Pacific Northwest floods, which were caused by a series of atmospheric rivers.[12]

The timing of the atmospheric river coincided with the 2024 British Columbia general election on October 19. Elections BC engaged in preparations ahead of the event to ensure voting accessibility by having power and paper backups in place in case of power outages. A record number of people participated in early voting for the election, limiting the storm's impact.[13]

Impact

Burke Mountain in Coquitlam recorded a storm total of 256 mm (10.1 in) from October 18 through the evening of October 20. West Vancouver also reported rain in excess of 200 mm (7.9 in). Effingham on Vancouver Island reported over 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall. The South Coast region of British Columbia saw higher rainfall amounts than those seen during the record breaking floods in 2021.

The trajectory of the moisture plume limited the impact of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow in parts of British Columbia. At the same time, this event came earlier in the season than the 2021 event meaning there was less snowpack in the mountains to be melted. Localized severe flooding was observed but river flooding was not as strong or widespread as in 2021.[14]

Lower Mainland

Rainfall in the Lower Mainland was heaviest on October 19. This was accompanied by strong winds that led to 2,700 BC Hydro customers remaining without power by that evening.[15] Widespread street flooding was observed in North Shore communities. Flows of muddy water and debris were noted in West Vancouver and TransLink riders encountered detours and delays.[16][17]

Street flooding led to the closure of several roads in Surrey with water rescues having been performed. Ponding water forced lane closures on area freeways, including Highway 1 and Highway 99.[18] Highway 7 was closed for a time between Mission and Maple Ridge.[19]

A 57 year old woman was killed in Coquitlam when a mudslide struck her home. Her body was found after an extensive search involving the RCMP and other agencies.[20]

References

  1. ^ Coyne, Todd (2024-10-21). "Death toll from B.C. atmospheric river climbs as driver found dead, another presumed drowned". CTV. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  2. ^ None officially reported as of October 20, 2024.
  3. ^ Corp, Pelmorex (2024-10-19). "B.C. coast braces for a dominant atmospheric river, raising flood worries". The Weather Network. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  4. ^ Crawford, Emma (2024-10-19). "BC Storm: Rainfall expected to break records during weather event". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  5. ^ "Metro Vancouver hit with massive flooding, road closures on the day of B.C. provincial election". British Columbia. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  6. ^ Carey, Charlie (2024-10-21). "BC Storm: North Vancouver declares state of local emergency". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  7. ^ "CW3E AR Update: 16 October 2024 Outlook". Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  8. ^ "Heavy rain forecast this weekend for British Columbia and NW Washington". Ingalls Weather. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  9. ^ "Enjoy the weekend weather, Alberta — winter is coming and an atmospheric river is to blame | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  10. ^ "Rainfall warning in Metro Vancouver: Heavy rain could cause localized flooding". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  11. ^ "Atmospheric river system set to drench B.C.'s South Coast". CBC News. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  12. ^ Williams, Michael (2024-10-19). "Fraser Valley farmers brace for B.C. storm". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  13. ^ "Elections B.C. planning for bad weather on election day". CBC News. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  14. ^ "How impactful was B.C.'s latest atmospheric river? Details pour in". Yahoo News. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  15. ^ "Power outages, flooding across B.C. as atmospheric river hits". CBC News. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  16. ^ "Metro Vancouver hit with massive flooding, road closures on the day of B.C. provincial election". British Columbia. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  17. ^ B.C. storm live updates: Heavy rain, power outages hit Metro Vancouver | Vancouver Sun
  18. ^ "Flooding closes roads in Surrey, lanes on Highway 1". The Abbotsford News. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  19. ^ Mitchell, Don. "Portion of Highway 7 in Maple Ridge closed due to flooding: Drive BC". Fraser Valley Today | Everything Fraser Valley. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  20. ^ "Woman found dead after home washed away in B.C. mudslide". British Columbia. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
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