The 2024 British Columbia floods were a series of floods, debris flows, and mudslides caused by an atmospheric river that struck Southwestern British Columbia from October 18 to October 20, 2024. Three people were killed during the event, one in the Lower Mainland and two on Vancouver Island.
 Flooding in Surrey, British Columbia during the storm. | |
| Date | 18 October 2024 – 20 October 2024 (2 days) |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern British Columbia, Canada Northwestern Washington, United States |
| Cause | Atmospheric river |
| Deaths | 3[1] |
| Property damage | Unknown[2] |
The storm also brought heavy snow to inland portions of the province with major highways having been closed. Northwestern Washington was on the southern edge of the atmospheric river. There, strong winds knocked out power to thousands and minor flooding led to road closures in some areas.
The low pressure system that produced the atmospheric river moved into Alberta during the following days leading to the first snowfall of the season in parts of that province.
Meteorological synopsis
editA strong low pressure system developed in the Gulf of Alaska in the days leading up to the event, pulling a cold front along with it.[3] The motion of the low stalled the cold front and associated moisture plume with heavy rain being observed in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The Olympic Peninsula of Washington state also received heavy rain.[4]
The moisture reached southwestern British Columbia on October 18. It wasn't until October 20 when a new low pressure system captured the cold front and swept the system eastward. Chinook winds were observed in Alberta while heavy precipitation was falling in British Columbia before the system moved eastward and brought snow to Calgary and Edmonton on October 21.[5] This was Calgary's first snowfall of the season.[6]
Atmospheric river events are common in British Columbia and Washington during the cold season. September 2024 brought one to the North Coast that is believed to have been the most intense in the Northeastern Pacific in the satellite record that goes back to 2000.[7] Between British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, an average of 35 atmospheric rivers make landfall annually.[8]
Preparations
editA couple days before the floods, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning due to an atmospheric river expected to "drench the B.C. coast" through the weekend of October 18.[9][10] Official forecasts called for rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm (7.9 in) in some areas. The British Columbia River Forecast Centre issued flood watches for numerous areas and authorities highlighted the risk of landslides and power outages.[11][12]
Farmers and residents of the Sumas Prairie area between Abbotsford and Chilliwack were "preparing for the worst." This area was especially hard hit by and still recovering from the 2021 Pacific Northwest floods, which were caused by a series of atmospheric rivers.[13]
The timing of the atmospheric river coincided with the 2024 British Columbia general election on October 19. Elections BC engaged in preparations ahead of the event to ensure voting accessibility by having power and paper backups in place in case of power outages. A record number of people participated in early voting for the election, limiting the storm's impact.[14]
Impact
editBurke Mountain in Coquitlam recorded a storm total of 256 mm (10.1 in) from October 18 through the evening of October 20. West Vancouver also reported rain in excess of 200 mm (7.9 in). Kennedy Lake on Vancouver Island saw over 318 mm (12.5 in) of rainfall.[15] The South Coast region of British Columbia saw higher rainfall amounts than those seen during the record breaking floods in 2021.
The trajectory of the moisture plume limited the impact of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow in parts of British Columbia. At the same time, this event came earlier in the season than the 2021 event meaning there was less snowpack in the mountains to be melted. Localized severe flooding was observed but river flooding was not as strong or widespread as in 2021.[16]
ICBC, the crown corporation providing car insurance in British Columbia, said it received 80 claims for water damaged vehicles – a value far lower than the 2,100 claims made following the 2021 flood event.[17]
Lower Mainland
editRainfall in the Lower Mainland was heaviest on October 19. This was accompanied by strong winds that led to 2,700 BC Hydro customers remaining without power by that evening.[18] Widespread street flooding was observed in North Shore communities. Flows of muddy water and debris were noted in West Vancouver and TransLink riders encountered detours and delays.[19][20]
Street flooding led to the closure of several roads in Surrey. A few water rescues had to be performed throughout the Lower Mainland. Ponding water forced lane closures on area freeways, including Highway 1 and Highway 99.[21] Highway 7 was closed for a time between Mission and Maple Ridge.[22]
A 57 year old woman was killed in Coquitlam when a mudslide struck her home. Her body was found after an extensive search involving the RCMP and other agencies.[23] Six homes were evacuated in the District of North Vancouver when heavy rain in Deep Cove overwhelmed the stormwater system.[15] North Vancouver declared a state of emergency for impacted neighbourhoods.[24]
Increased turbidity was seen in Metro Vancouver tap water but officials said it was still safe to drink. There were isolated instances of the sewer system overflowing with fourteen reports of raw sewage entering into area waterways.[17]
Vancouver Island
editHeavy rain on Vancouver Island also caused localized flooding there. Some BC Ferries routes saw cancellations due to strong winds. Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Ucluelet on the West Coast was closed when debris flowed onto the roadway.[25] Washouts along Highway 14 led to that road being closed between Jordan River and Port Renfrew with repair work expected to last until October 23.[26]
Two travelers went missing between Port Alberni and Bamfield during the storm. One was later found deceased in a waterway near the road with the other presumed to have drowned. Investigators utilized cell phone data and helicopter searches in their attempts to locate the individuals.[27] They were later found dead, their vehicles having gone into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out.[28]
Interior and Northern British Columbia
editAreas of heavy snow were observed inland in British Columbia due to the atmospheric river. Environment Canada meteorologists issued the first snowfall warnings of the season along the British Columbia – Yukon border where 20 cm (7.9 in) of snow was forecast.[29] Highway 1 was closed over Rogers Pass east of Revelstoke because of a vehicle crash in the wintry conditions.[30]
Northwestern Washington
editStrong winds on the south side of the atmospheric river knocked out power to over 24,000 customers in Northwestern Washington. The majority of these outages were seen in Clallam County.[31] Wind gusts to 45 mph (72 km/h) caused a tree to fall on a home in Sudden Valley near Bellingham. No injuries or deaths related to the storm were reported in Washington.[32]
High water and damage from strong winds impacted travel in Whatcom County with several road closures.[33] The daily rainfall record for October 19 at Quillayute Airport near Forks was broken when 4.68 in (119 mm) was recorded. Bellingham International Airport also set a new record on that day with a total of 1.97 in (50 mm).[34]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ Coyne, Todd (2024-10-21). "Death toll from B.C. atmospheric river climbs as driver found dead, another presumed drowned". CTV. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ None officially reported as of October 20, 2024.
- ^ "CW3E AR Update: 16 October 2024 Outlook". Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Heavy rain forecast this weekend for British Columbia and NW Washington". Ingalls Weather. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Enjoy the weekend weather, Alberta — winter is coming and an atmospheric river is to blame | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Geroux, Curtis (2024-10-21). "Calgary hit with taste of winter as first snowfall of the season arrives". CityNews Calgary. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "An Uncommonly Strong Atmospheric River". earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Sobral, Bruno S.; Déry, Stephen J. (2023-11-30). "Spatiotemporal distribution and trend analyses of atmospheric rivers affecting British Columbia's Nechako Watershed". International Journal of Climatology. 43 (14): 6720–6732. doi:10.1002/joc.8230. ISSN 0899-8418.
- ^ Corp, Pelmorex (2024-10-19). "B.C. coast braces for a dominant atmospheric river, raising flood worries". The Weather Network. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
- ^ "Rainfall warning in Metro Vancouver: Heavy rain could cause localized flooding". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
- ^ "Atmospheric river system set to drench B.C.'s South Coast". CBC News. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Crawford, Emma (2024-10-19). "BC Storm: Rainfall expected to break records during weather event". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
- ^ Williams, Michael (2024-10-19). "Fraser Valley farmers brace for B.C. storm". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Elections B.C. planning for bad weather on election day". CBC News. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ a b "Atmospheric river shatters rainfall records across B.C.'s South Coast". British Columbia. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "How impactful was B.C.'s latest atmospheric river? Details pour in". Yahoo News. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ a b Chan, Cheryl; Ip, Stephanie; Ruttle, Joseph (2024-10-19). "B.C. storm weather updates: Body found in Coquitlam mudslide | Weather warnings over as cleanup continues | Six homes under evacuation order in Deep Cove". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Power outages, flooding across B.C. as atmospheric river hits". CBC News. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ "Metro Vancouver hit with massive flooding, road closures on the day of B.C. provincial election". British Columbia. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ B.C. storm live updates: Heavy rain, power outages hit Metro Vancouver | Vancouver Sun
- ^ "Flooding closes roads in Surrey, lanes on Highway 1". The Abbotsford News. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Mitchell, Don. "Portion of Highway 7 in Maple Ridge closed due to flooding: Drive BC". Fraser Valley Today | Everything Fraser Valley. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ "Woman found dead after home washed away in B.C. mudslide". British Columbia. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Carey, Charlie (2024-10-21). "BC Storm: North Vancouver declares state of local emergency". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Judd, Amy (2024-10-19). "Part of Hwy 4 closed, ferry cancellations as storm hits B.C. South Coast". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Highway 14 to reopen Wednesday night after washout repairs". Times Colonist. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Death toll from B.C. atmospheric river climbs as driver found dead, another presumed drowned". British Columbia. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "2nd person confirmed dead in Vancouver Island washout". CBC. 22 October 2024.
- ^ Press, Brieanna Charlebois and Chuck Chiang The Canadian (2024-10-17). "B.C. south and central coast under flood watch as atmospheric river approaches". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Petruk, Tim (2024-10-19). "Highway 1 reopens between Revelstoke and Golden following all-day closure - BC". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Power outages peak at 24,000 as atmospheric river slams coast". KIRO 7 News Seattle. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Mittendorf, Robert (2024-10-19). "Updates: Wind, heavy rain advisories extended as storm drenches Whatcom County". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Update: Weather-Related Road Closures for Oct. 19-21". Whatcom County, WA. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "IEM :: RER from NWS SEW". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-22.