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Environment and Climate Change Canada has warned of possible coastal flooding in parts of Metro Vancouver and the Greater Victoria area on Friday due to a storm surge.
A coastal flooding statement issued by the weather agency says elevated ocean water levels are expected with enhanced wave activity and strong winds on Friday that could continue into the weekend, with peak water levels estimated to occur between 10 a.m. and noon PCT.
The statement covers low-lying and exposed coastal sections of Metro Vancouver and Musqueam First Nation, including Boundary Bay to Semiahmoo Bay, as well as the Southern Gulf Islands, Saanich Inlet, Swartz Bay to Cordova Bay, and Cordova Bay to East Sooke.
Pacific low-pressure systems will move across the region along with a period of high tides.
Gusts between 60 and 80 kilometres an hour are expected over exposed coastal sections at times.
“Moderate to potentially strong winds accompanying these systems can also cause enhanced wave action and swells in some areas,” the statement reads.
The statement comes as storms dumped more than 300 millimetres of rain on parts of southwestern B.C. over 48 hours, prompting evacuation orders and alerts.
Shelter-in-place advisories remain in place in B.C.’s Pemberton Valley and parts of the District of Squamish as flooding threatens local properties and roads.
Líl̓wat Nation expanded an evacuation order for its community Thursday morning. It said flooding was occurring along the Green River, which is experiencing “exceptionally high flows.”
In Pemberton, an evacuation order covers the Pemberton Regional Airport, the B.C. Wildfire Service base, golf course facilities, an animal shelter and a small number of residential properties.
The District of Squamish says meteorologists have reported a weakening atmospheric river system that will result in lower rainfall through Friday evening with more rainfall forecast for Saturday evening through Sunday.