Third storm system brings flood watches across Vancouver Island and BC's South Coast

A third atmospheric river is arriving in British Columbia on Tuesday, bringing the strongest rainfall of a week that has already seen two major windstorms. Environment Canada has issued orange rainfall warnings for west and central Vancouver Island, Howe Sound and the Sea-to-Sky corridor, and the BC River Forecast Centre has flood watches in place for most of Vancouver Island and the South Coast, Global News and CHEK News reported.

The warnings put parts of west and central Vancouver Island in line for more than 250 mm of rain. Howe Sound and Sea-to-Sky could receive up to 160 mm, and Metro Vancouver up to 120 mm, according to Global News. CHEK News reported that the orange warning zone runs from Sooke to Kyuquot on the island's west and central coasts, with 150 to 200 mm expected there through Wednesday.

What orange means

Environment Canada uses orange to indicate that severe storms are likely to cause significant damage and disruption. Yellow warnings are in effect for northern Vancouver Island and the east coast of the island from Nanoose Bay to Campbell River, where 50 to 100 mm is forecast.

Wind gusts of up to 110 km/h are expected on Haida Gwaii and north Vancouver Island. CHEK News reported that winds around Victoria could reach 60 km/h gusting to 80 km/h on Tuesday.

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch for most of Vancouver Island. EmergencyInfoBC lists an active flood watch covering the South and Central Coasts, Vancouver Island, and the Fraser Valley North, updated November 9, 2026.

Zeballos still under orders

The Village of Zeballos, on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, remains under an evacuation order and evacuation alert, according to EmergencyInfoBC. The orders were amended on November 8 and officials expect the emergency measures to remain in place through at least November 13, 2026, CHEK News reported.

Electricity repairs in Zeballos from the earlier storms have been delayed by weather, with helicopter access restricted by conditions.

A third storm after a damaging week

This is the third major weather system to hit BC in one week. Windstorms on Friday November 6 and Saturday November 7 knocked down trees and severed power to nearly 415,000 BC Hydro customers across the province. BC Hydro reported on November 9 that it had restored power to 99 percent of those customers, but about 6,000 remained without service, mostly east and north of Prince George, before this third system began arriving.

CHEK News described the week's pattern as a "storm train," a series of atmospheric rivers hitting the coast without a full break between them. The saturated ground from the first two storms raises the flood risk from the third, because water that would normally soak in has nowhere to go.

Global News reported that three people died or went missing during the earlier storms. A driver was killed by a falling tree in Surrey on Saturday. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle during heavy rain in Vancouver on Friday. A canoeist has been missing off northern Vancouver Island since Friday.

Why ground saturation matters

When heavy rain follows days of heavy rain, rivers rise faster. The BC River Forecast Centre issues flood watches when it expects river flows to reach levels that could cause flooding in low-lying areas. A flood watch does not mean flooding has started: it means conditions are likely to reach that point, and residents near rivers or in low-lying areas should prepare.

My Comox Valley Now reported that Environment Canada is warning that there remains uncertainty about exact rainfall totals, with specific warnings to follow as the storm track becomes clearer. The agency notes that higher elevations and terrain that forces air upward will receive the heaviest totals.

The east coast of Vancouver Island from Nanoose Bay to Campbell River is forecast to receive 50 to 100 mm, and the Sunshine Coast the same range. Northern Vancouver Island is forecast for over 100 mm, all under yellow warnings.

What residents can do

My Comox Valley Now reported that Environment Canada urges residents to clear storm drains of leaves and debris to reduce the risk of localized flooding in areas already wet from the previous storms.

EmergencyInfoBC recommends that BC residents check EmergencyMapBC to see whether their specific address is under an evacuation order or alert. The site is at emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca and updates as conditions change. Zeballos residents should follow the direction of local emergency management, with the evacuation order and alert in place through at least November 13.

The worst weather is expected through Wednesday before tapering off Thursday, Global News reported. BC residents in affected areas can track active warnings and watches on the Environment Canada weather website and follow updates from the BC River Forecast Centre.