More rain is on the way.
Today (Oct. 29), Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement to a rainfall warning that could bring up to 70 mm in the Tri-Cities by tomorrow night (Oct. 30), and potentially more at higher elevations.
Meterologists are predicting the heavy downpour to begin late overnight, signalling another atmospheric river event for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
Winds could also gust between 50 and 70 km/h during the same span.
Temperatures are expected to range between five and 15 C, leading up to a 60 per cent chance of showers on Halloween night (Oct. 31).
"Periods of rain will gradually intensify to heavy rain late overnight and continue through Sunday evening," reads Environment Canada's statement.
The national agency is predicting the heavy rain to ease by Sunday night as the system pass through the region.
However, the result of the potential storm could lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas.
Taking precaution
According to the City of Coquitlam, its rain gauge atop of Burke Mountain recorded 67.5 mm of rain on Thursday (Oct. 27).
Public works director Brad Lofgren said the department has been implementing an aggressive in-stream works maintenance program, proactively checking and clearing critical catch basins and drainage intakes prior to the event.
"Given that this was the first fall storm, there was a considerable amount of tree debris that came down including leaves, branches, and needles," he added.
"These activities will continue through Saturday, as required, to ensure that we are as prepared as possible. We are also scheduling crews throughout the weekend to respond as needed, depending on the timing and severity of the storm. These crews will be constantly checking and clearing critical drainage infrastructure, responding to service requests, and monitoring the sanitary sewer system and mitigating impacts from any overflows that may occur."
Conditions from the first atmospheric river event resulted in a downed wire, more than 1,200 BC Hydro customers without power for nearly six hours and a closure of Highway 1 between Brunette Avenue and Gaglardi Way.
ICBC says crash rates increase by 50 per cent each year in the Lower Mainland when commuters choose to drive too fast in poor conditions.
That's an annual five-year average of 114 in October and 171 in December (2016-2020) as the weather worsens.
Tips for dreary Halloween
With rain and wind imminent for Halloween, Fraser Health is encouraging residents to see and to be seen.
"We want everyone to be alert and aware of their surroundings while on roads to ensure safety for drivers and trick-or-treaters," said Dr. Emily Newhouse, medical health officer with the regional authority.
Tips for trick-or-treaters include:
- Be visible
- Choose costumes that are lighter in colour, bring flashlights or glow sticks, and add reflective material to costumes, candy bags and shoes to ensure that children are visible to drivers
- Go as a group
- Trick-or-treating in a group can be fun and makes everyone more visible to drivers, and an adult should always accompany children younger than 12
- Follow pedestrian rules
- Remind children to always walk on sidewalks, cross only at crosswalks and refrain from walking between parked cars or through front yards
Tips for drivers include:
- Be alert
- Drive slowly in residential areas to allow you more time to scan the road and react unexpectedly, if needed
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars
- Take your time at stops
- When you are nearing stop signs or intersections, come to a complete stop, scan the crosswalk and check multiple times before you start driving
- Do not drink and drive
- Arrange for a ride with a designated driver, take transit, use a ridesharing app or call a taxi to get home safely
- Keep driving safely after Halloween night
- With darker driving conditions during fall and winter months, it becomes harder to see pedestrians
- Wet roads can mean it takes longer to stop. Taking your time and actively watch for pedestrians
