Relentless rain prompts more evacuation orders as B.C. braces for 3rd consecutive storm

THE LATEST:

• The third in a series of Pacific storms bringing torrential rainto already-flooded areas of southwest B.C. is expected to arrive Tuesday, with up to 100 millimetres of rain predicted for the swamped Fraser Valley.
• Evacuation orders remain in effect for properties nearwaterways around Abbotsford and in theThompson-Nicola Regional District.For more on evacuation alerts and orders, seehere.
• The District of Hope hasdeclared a state of local emergency.
• Flood warningsare in placefor theCoquihalla River, Sumas River, Tulameen River, Coldwater Riverand Lower Nicola River. For all flood advisories, seehere.
• A flood watch is in effectfor the Similkameen River in the Southern Interioras well asmuch of Vancouver Island.
• Highway 1 remains closed between Chilliwack and Hopeafter being shut downon Sunday. For a full list of closures, seehere.
• Fuel rationing has been extended until mid-December.

The third in a series of increasingly intense storms is approaching British Columbia, leaving residents bracing for more torrential rainwhile officials are still addressing damage doneacross the Lower Mainland and southern Interiorfrom the last two storms.

Communities across the province were busy preparing for the latest storm during a brief reprieve from the weather in some areas Monday.Farmers rushed again to move dozens of cattle, including calves, to higher ground while residents packed sandbags around their homes.

The next stormis expected to slam into B.C. later Tuesday, with officials warningit could be the worst one in a series of three this month.

Environment Canada has issued a series of special weather alertsfor much of B.C.'s southwest and coast, with up to another 100 millimetres of rainfall predicted for the Fraser Valley between Tuesday and Wednesday along with winds up to 60 km/h. Areas of Vancouver Island and the Central Coast could see as much as 200 millimetres of rain.

Geoff Coulson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, saidMondaythe storm is expected to hit the North Coast late tonight and move south overnight.

He said the two recent storms dumped precipitation for about 24 to 36 hours, while this one could bring relentless rain for 48 hours.

"The concern with this event is the long duration," said Coulson.

The issue, experts say, is that the ground across much of the region is already soaked to its limitafter the previous two storms and can't absorb any more heavy rain.

The first atmospheric river system from Nov. 13 to 15 caused devastatingflooding and fatal mudslides. The second forced more evacuations and road closures when it arrived this weekend.

Nooksack River threatens areas of Abbotsford

The Fraser Valley has borne much of the brunt of the flooding. Late Sunday, several more residents of Abbotsford were ordered to leave their homes as the water again threatened to rise.

Crews in the city, including members of the Canadian military, worked through the night to pump water into Tiger Dams to try to hold back floodwaters from the Sumas River. A Tiger Dam is aseries of water-filled tubes over a metre in height that are used to create a barrier.

"We are pumping about a billion gallons a day," said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun, speaking Monday on The Early Edition.

Braun said his "worst nightmare" would be if the Nooksack River in neighbouring Washington state breaches Abbotsford's dikes.

He said 17 kilometres of the city's dikes have been repaired and reinforced since they were damaged earlier this month, but the mayor is not positive that workwill be enough to hold back the Nooksack.

"Once it breached, you had a three-storey wall of water," he said, referring to last time the U.S. river overflowed its banks and crossed the border.

As of Monday morning, Braun said water about 20 centimetres deep was already coming across the border and entering the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford, which was extensively flooded after the first storm in mid-November.

Abbotsford city staff are in hourly contact with counterparts in Whatcom County across the border who are monitoring the Nooksack, said Braun.

CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe saidAbbotsford was hit with record rain on the weekend, with 118 millimetresfalling on the already saturated city.

The University of the Fraser Valley hascancelled all in-person classes for next week.

• Find updates from the Abbotsford School District here

Gas limits extended until mid-December

On Monday, the province extendedfuel rationing until Dec. 14, when the Trans Mountain pipeline is to be up and running again.

The pipeline has been closed since Nov. 14, when it was damaged in the first rainstorm. The order limits drivers to 30 litres of gas or diesel per trip to the gas station.

B.C. Energy Minister Bruce Ralston says the pipeline provides most of the fuel forB.C.'s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, which is now being shipped in by rail from Alberta and on barges from the United States.

The province has also extended itsstate of emergency until the same date in Decemberto ensure emergency services have the resources they need to respond to the flooding.

State of emergency in Hope

The District of Hope,about 155 kilometres eastof Vancouver,declared a state of local emergencyon Sunday and later placed homes on Riverview Drive on an evacuation alert.

Hope Mayor Peter Robb told CBC Monday district staff have been piling sandbags along the banks of the Coquihalla River and two evacuation centres are ready to receive people if necessary.

"We're doing the best we can," saidRobb, adding residents can stay up to date on the situation on the district's website.

Wagstaffe said Hope had 140 millimetres of precipitation over the weekend.

Evacuation alerts mean residents must be ready to leave their homes at a moment's notice. Evacuation orders mean residents should leave immediately.

On Sunday, B.C.'s River Forecast Centre issueda flood warning for the Coquihalla River and the Sumas River, which affects Sumas Prairie and the surrounding area.

It also upgraded flood watches towarningsfor the Tulameen River, Coldwater Riverand Lower Nicola River.

A flood warning means river levels have exceeded banks and that flooding in nearbyareas will occur.

Hwy 1 closed, non-essential travel not advised

Highway 1 remains closed between Abbotsford and Chilliwackbecause of the rainover the weekend. Officials did not say when the roadwould reopen.

B.C.Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworthsaidnon-essential travel should be avoided in the coming days as the province braces for the thirdstorm.

Farnworth saidthe government wants to avoid anyunnecessary road closures that would further strain essential resources.

Those who mustbe on the road should drive carefully and never drive through floodwaters becauseit's not always clear how deep the water might be, he said.

He also said people should prepare for emergencies by carrying food, water, warm clothes, blankets and well stocked emergency kits in their vehicles.

Farnworthalsosaid the province is prepared to use Alert Ready a system that pushes emergency notifications directly to cellphonesif local authorities believe the next storm poses a threat to life or public safety.

WATCH | If you're driving, here's how topreparefor an emergency:

How to prepare for emergencies on the road

3 years ago

Duration 1:38

Extreme weather on B.C. highways recently left hundreds of travellers stranded in their vehicles for days. Here are some key items you should always have ready in an emergency bag in your vehicle.