The City of Prince Rupert issued a flooding advisory due to extreme rain and higher than average tides.
The weather caused a “significant surcharge in the city’s drainage system” the alert stated.
City crews worked overtime into the evening to manage flood risks. Tides were 6.2 metres at 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 and will reach 5.9 metres on Tuesday at 4:40 p.m. as the heavy rain continues.
While the city said it has weathered the storm, thanking community members for helping to clear catch basins preventing flooding on the roads, at least 10 Port Edward residents have had a power outage since 8 p.m. last night. BC Hydro reported the power outage, stating the cause was due to a mud slide in Port Edward along Skeena Drive past North Pacific Cannery.
The road is closed between North Pacific Cannery and Cassiar Cannery, but the train is still running.
On Monday, Environment Canada warned that B.C.’s North Coast may experience 100 to 125 mm of rain and 70 to 100 mm of rain expected for Tuesday. The heaviest rainfall expected to hit in the afternoon and early evening, the warning stated.
The stormy weather is due to an active frontal system that is moving toward coastal sections of B.C.’s north, including Prince Rupert, and in front of the heavy rain south-southeast winds were blowing at 90 km/hour to 110 km/hour. By Monday evening, Environment Canada had ended the wind warning.
“Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage,” Environment Canada stated in the alert and that the heavy rain could cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and “localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”
BC Hydro reported a power outage due to a mud slide in Port Edward at 8 p.m. affecting 10 customers.
shannon.lough@thenorthernview.com
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The same storm system affected Haida Gwaii where a power outage on the island affected 657 households and a landslide closed the highway east of Queen Charlotte for several hours on Oct. 23.
The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall, the slide covered the highway between Eagle Hill and Husband Roads with rocks and trees. No injuries were reported.
North of Kitimat, Highway 37 experienced water pooling resulting in single lane-alternating traffic.
The weather was expected to clear by Wednesday.
With files from Andrew Hudson
