'From OK to bad really quickly': Caution urged as rain, snow and wind warnings blanket B.C.
CBC
A prolonged storm is moving on B.C. Sunday, bringing high winds and heavy rain in coastal and southern regions and intense snowfall in the north.
Most of the province is blanket by a yellow warning for the wind and precipitation under Environment and Climate Change Canada's new colour-coded alert system.
A yellow alert indicates moderate, localized or short-term damage and disruptions which can still be highly dangerous for those caught in the wrong place.
That's why Scott Merriman of North Shore Rescue is hoping people stay away from streams and rivers, which could swell rapidly over the next few days.
"Things can go from OK to bad really quickly," Merriman said.
"You could head out on a hike and when you get back that river's just risen to a point where you can't get back to where you started.
Environment Canada says between 100 and 150 millimetres of rain could fall between Sunday and Wednesday due to an atmospheric river hitting Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Howe Sound, West Vancouver Island, the Central Coast, and Haida Gwaii.
"Don't risk it," Merriman urged.
Other areas, like central Vancouver Island and the Sea-to-Sky between Squamish and Whistler will also see periods of heavy rain.
Environment Canada meteorologist Louis Kohanyi says areas with intense rain could see flooding and an increased risk of landslides. He says drivers should be careful.
"When they are driving there could be water pooling on the roads and there could be washouts," said Kohanyi.
The River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and all of B.C.'s coast, meaning river levels are expected to rise rapidly, possibly causing minor flooding in low-lying areas.
It warns people to stay safe around rivers and be prepared for challenging driving conditions.
Snowfall warnings are in effect for most of northern B.C. and parts of the Interior, including Prince George, Fort Nelson, the North Coast, the Bulkley Valley, Stuart-Nechako, Williston, Pine Pass, McGregor, Highway 16, Highway 97 and Anahim Lake.
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