Days of heavy rain caused flooding in parts of western USA and Canada. Some areas of British Columbia, Canada, recorded more than 370mm of rain from 30 January to 01 February.
Canada
Cowichan Valley Regional District on the southern part of Vancouver Island declared a local state of emergency on 31 January after flooding shut down roads and prompted the evacuation of around 30 residents.
The heavy rain also prompted the District of Kent to issue a local state of emergency on 01 February. In a statement, the districts said:
“On February 1, 2020 an atmospheric river is causing heavy precipitation along the BC coast with the heaviest rainfall measuring in the 50-100 mm range. As a result of this rainfall there has been severe localized flooding, landslides and rockfall damaging potable water infrastructure in the Rockwell Drive to Sasquatch Provincial Park areas.”
British Columbia Emergency Info reported evacuation orders in the District of Kent as a result of a mudslide, and in Sunshine Coast Regional District as a result of flooding.
USA
In the USA, authorities closed a border crossing with Canada after flooding left roads impassable in areas around the town of Sumas, Washington, situated close to the Canadian border.
Meanwhile in Snohomish County, three people had to be rescued from two separate vehicles after they attempted to drive through flooded roadways on 03 February.
Social Media
This morning crews rescued 3 people from 2 separate vehicles after they had tried driving through water over the roadway. Both vehicles had become disabled and were being submerged in the water. 1 vehicle was pushed off the roadway by the current. pic.twitter.com/tibgqqSI09
— Snohomish Co. Fire 7 (@SnoCountyFire7) February 3, 2020
We are seeing multiple roads and highways across the Island impacted after heavy rainfall. The Cowichan Valley has declared a local state of emergency, multiple people had to be evacuated. This photo shows the Russell Farms Market on Hwy 1. Story https://t.co/N61WM5Zxbd #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/UTz0i1mWlc
— Julian Kolsut (@juliankolsut) February 1, 2020
Rainfall warnings have been ended for most of the south coast, but continue for Hope and the Fraser Canyon. Here's a summary of some rainfall totals up to 4 am today. https://t.co/WpF9mS1RPM #BCstorm pic.twitter.com/GUTyAYOZng
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) February 1, 2020
Up to 146 mm of rain has already fallen over some western slopes of Vancouver Island! More heavy rain coming for the South Coast tonight. Beware of localized flooding and stay clear of fast flowing rivers!
Warnings: https://t.co/fVQBkIf9AD#BCStorm #Soaker #Rainuary pic.twitter.com/hwBu0Z1AyT
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) January 31, 2020
