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Updated: High streamflow advisory upgraded to flood watch

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for the South Coast, including Metro Vancouver, and Vancouver Island
Flood watch
The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch for the areas in orange on the map, including Metro Vancouver.

The City of Richmond is warning residents to avoid shorelines, unstable river banks and the edges of waterways, as a flood watch is currently in effect for Metro Vancouver.

The BC River Forecast Centre upgraded, on Friday afternoon, its earlier high streamflow advisory to a flood watch for Metro Vancouver, as well as the North Shore Mountains, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.

A flood watch means “river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull,” according to the BC River Forecast Centre. “Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.”

In a tweet, the City of Richmond warned residents to avoid shorelines, unstable riverbanks and the edges of waterways. 

The city said people should call the 24-hour Public Works Dispatch at 604-270-8721 for minor water accumulation. For emergencies due to water or flooding, call 911.

Environment Canada, in a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver, including Richmond, said between 75 to 100 mm of rain is expected Friday through to Saturday night due to an “atmospheric river” flowing off of the Pacific Ocean, although there will be a “short break” in the rainfall Friday evening.

Rivers are expected to “rise rapidly” on Friday and into Saturday due to the rainfall, with “peak flows expected on Saturday,” according to the BC River Forecast Centre's updated notice.

Larger rivers, including the Squamish River, will likely experience peak flows on Sunday.

Snow that has accumulated at elevation recently is also expected to melt as the rain continues and contribute to additional runoff to rivers. 

However, the updated notice notes that the storm track system is “very narrow and could shift as the storm progresses.”

“Regional impacts could be more or less than currently forecast depending on where the heaviest rainfall actually occurs.”

Fraser Valley north and south as well as Vancouver Island remain under a high streamflow advisory, according to the BC River Forecast Centre.

A high streamflow advisory has also been issued for the Lillooet River near Pemberton, and tributaries.