Prepare for seasonal storms, heavy rain, winds

VICTORIA - As British Columbia transitions to cooler temperatures and seasonal storms, people are encouraged to prepare for the shift to fall weather, including a series of storms that may bring heavy rain and strong winds to coastal areas, starting Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

People are encouraged to keep storm drains clear to reduce localized flooding. With wet ground and many trees still holding their leaves, strong winds can frequently uproot trees or break branches. Be prepared for power interruptions from tree damage or downed power lines. Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts show potentially significant wind and rainfall for the north coast, central coast, south coast/Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre (RFC) continues to closely monitor forecasts and will issue high streamflow advisories, flood watches or flood warnings as conditions warrant.

Wet and stormy weather is typical for this season, and the Province works with communities to support local emergency preparedness and response actions. This includes:

• The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness hosts weekly natural hazard information calls with First Nations, communities and partner agencies.
• The RFC monitors weather patterns and river conditions and remains vigilant for any shifts toward extreme wet weather.
• Through the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, maintenance contractors monitor conditions, clear culverts and pre-position crews and equipment to respond quickly to potential flooding or debris buildup, ensuring safe and clear roadways.
• The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness is prepared to deploy sandbags, gabions and tiger dams to communities to protect homes and public infrastructure.
• The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness can issue broadcast alerts to warn people in areas where there may be imminent threats due to flooding.

People are urged to take precautions to ensure personal safety. Start by developing a household emergency plan and learning how your local government will respond during an emergency.Put together a household emergency kit and prepare grab-and-go bags for each member of your household in case you are asked to evacuate. If your lights go out, check to see whether BC Hydro is aware of the outage.

In the event of evacuation orders, Emergency Support Services (ESS) can support evacuees who need help with temporary accommodation, food, incidentals and clothing. People are encouraged to register for ESS so they can access supports when they need it most.

Insurance helps protect people, homes and businesses. Following any disaster event, property owners and residents are advised to contact their insurance provider immediately to obtain advice about their next steps in cleanup and repairs resulting from the disaster.

People can also take the following steps to get prepared:

Protect your home:

People are advised to prepare for possible flooding of low-lying areas by moving equipment and other assets from these areas to higher ground, where possible. Clear perimeter drains, eavestroughs and gutters. Sandbags may be made available through your local government.

Create grab-and-go bags:

Assemble an individual grab-and-go bag for each member of the household with the essentials they will need if asked to evacuate.

Recognize the danger signs:

• If you live near a waterway, a change in water colour or rapid change in water level, especially a drop, could indicate a problem upstream.
• Call your local fire, police or public works department immediately if you suspect something is out of the ordinary.
• If you face a threatening flood, park your vehicles away from streams and waterways, move electrical appliances to upper floors and make sure to anchor fuel supplies.
• Listen to local officials if you are asked to evacuate.

Steer clear of river shorelines:

Keep away from river edges and shorelines. During periods of high flow, riverbanks may be unstable and more prone to sudden collapse. Smaller streams may also grow much more rapidly than larger rivers during heavy rainfall. Stay away and keep young children and pets away from the banks of fast-flowing streams and flooded areas or bridges.

Do not drive through flood water:

Heavy water pooling on roads can occur. Never attempt to drive or walk in flood water. Approximately 15 centimetres (six inches) of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, and 61 centimetres (two feet) of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. Flood waters can quickly wash out roads and bridges. Be prepared and plan an alternative route.

Landslide risk:

Heavy rain may contribute to landslides and dangerous debris in creeks and waterways. Be safe and do not go to watch the rushing water. If you notice trees beginning to lean or bend near your home or cracks developing in the hillside, consult an engineer or contact local authorities.

Driving safety:

Crashes can be prevented when motorists are prepared. Some tips for travelling in wet weather and winter-driving conditions are:

• Check DriveBC's website for current road conditions before you leave. More than 1,000 highway webcam views are available at more than 450 locations.
• Check the weather forecast and consider postponing travel if conditions are hazardous.
• The majority of highways in B.C. require winter tires or good condition M+S tires from Oct. 1 to April 30. A designated winter tire provides better traction in lower temperature and winter conditions.
• Bring warm clothing, such as winter boots, coat, gloves and hat, in case you need to get out of the vehicle.
• Have an emergency plan. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with a full tank of fuel or is fully charged, a windshield scraper and snow brush, food and water, a first-aid kit, blankets and other emergency supplies.
• Do not panic if you get stuck or stranded. Stay with your vehicle for safety and shelter.
• If you have a cellphone, call for roadside assistance. For emergencies, call 911.

Quick Facts:

• A high streamflow advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected.
• Fast-flowing bodies of water increase risk to life safety and minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
• A flood watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed the riverbank, and flooding may occur in areas adjacent to affected rivers.
• A flood warning means that river levels have exceeded or will exceed the riverbank imminently, and that flooding will occur in areas adjacent to affected rivers.

Learn More:

To learn more about Environment and Climate Change Canada's up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts, visit: http://www.weather.gc.ca

For more information about flood warnings and high streamflow advisories, visit:
https://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

For information about power outages, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/index.html

For more information about flood preparedness, visit: https://www.preparedbc.ca/floods

For more information about preparing for storms, visit: https://www.preparedbc.ca/severeweather

For tips about how to create a household emergency plan, visit: https://preparedbc.ca/EmergencyReady

For information about how to build emergency kits and grab-and-go bags, visit: https://preparedbc.ca/emergencykit

For the latest information about road conditions, visit: http://www.drivebc.ca

For the latest information about flood risk and active evacuation alerts and orders in B.C., follow @EmergencyInfoBC on X or visit: https://EmergencyInfoBC.ca

To pre-register with Emergency Support Services, visit: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/