A relentless atmospheric river unleashed a deluge upon British Columbia’s South Coast, shattering rainfall records across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Wednesday’s storm wasn’t just rain; it was a historic event, rewriting the books on precipitation in numerous communities.
The town of Hope bore the brunt of the storm, recording a staggering 134.2 mm of rainfall – obliterating the previous record of 74.5 mm set back in 2004. Over two days, Hope experienced a total of 140 mm, a testament to the sheer volume of water descending from the sky.
Agassiz and Chilliwack weren’t spared, both registering 91.8 mm, eclipsing a record that had stood since 1896 – a remarkable 52.6 mm. Even Abbotsford saw unprecedented rainfall, reaching 86.2 mm and surpassing its previous high of 56.7 mm from 2004.
The intensity of the storm triggered a state of local emergency in the Fraser Valley Regional District. Over 300 properties in the Sumas Prairie region were placed under evacuation order, as rising waters threatened homes and livelihoods.
Records fell in other locations as well, including White Rock, Esquimalt, Victoria, Langley, and Pitt Meadows. Langley, for instance, recorded 56.7 mm, exceeding its previous mark by a mere tenth of a millimeter, while White Rock saw 45 mm compared to 33.8 mm in 2004.
While rainfall warnings were lifted Thursday morning, meteorologists cautioned that the reprieve would be brief. December has already proven to be exceptionally wet, and the pattern shows no immediate signs of changing.
The storm’s origins lie in a unique atmospheric setup. Stagnant high-pressure systems over the Yukon and California created a “storm highway,” funneling Pacific weather systems directly towards the B.C. coast and Washington state.
This pattern is expected to persist for days, potentially even a week, demanding heightened awareness and preparedness from residents. The cumulative effect of successive storms is increasing the region’s vulnerability to flooding.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre escalated its flood watch for the Fraser Valley to a flood warning, encompassing the Sumas River and its potential to overflow from the Nooksack River. Lower Fraser tributaries, including the Chilliwack, Skagit, and Coquihalla rivers, are also under alert.
Residents of the Fraser Valley can anticipate a temporary break in the rain on Thursday, with a possible 10 mm falling on Friday. However, forecasters are closely monitoring potential systems arriving Sunday into early next week, emphasizing the importance of staying informed.
Even if these upcoming systems aren’t as intense as the recent deluge, the saturated ground and already swollen rivers create a dangerous situation. The additive effects of continued rainfall pose a significant and ongoing threat.
