Flood alert issued for parts of B.C.’s South Coast

The B.C. River Forecast Centre is upgrading a flood alert for several regions on the province’s South Coast, as more heavy rain is expected over the next few days.

As of Friday, a high streamflow advisory has been upgraded to a flood watch for the North Shore mountains, Howe Sound, including the Squamish area, the Sunshine Coast, and the central, eastern and southern parts of Vancouver Island.

A flood watch means river levels are rising and will approach or may overtop the banks. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur, according to the centre.

Officials are maintaining a high streamflow advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and northern and western Vancouver Island.

The agency says an atmospheric river is hitting coastal B.C., with moderate to heavy rain anticipated through Friday.