Flood warnings and evacuation alert across BC as storms bring up to 250 mm of rain
The BC River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings for the South Coast, the Pemberton Valley and the Kingcome River. Pemberton issued an evacuation alert on Tuesday evening.
Long read. The subject the most local outlets covered that day, with the public record behind it. Every outlet and record is linked under the story. Read the original report on bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca.
A series of storms has brought flood warnings, wind warnings and an evacuation alert to British Columbia on Remembrance Day, with the BC River Forecast Centre reporting that flooding is happening or about to happen across the South Coast, the Pemberton Valley and the Kingcome River.
Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast 150 to 200 mm of rain across the South Coast, with totals potentially exceeding 250 mm in some locations. Hourly rates of up to 10 to 15 mm were forecast for parts of Vancouver Island. The Nanaimo News Bulletin reported the rainfall as part of a series of storms that have been hitting BC since last week, hitting ground that is already soaked.
What the flood warnings cover
The BC River Forecast Centre issued or upgraded three flood warnings on November 11:
- Pemberton Valley: upgraded to flood warning at 8:00 a.m.
- South Coast (Howe Sound, Sea-to-Sky corridor, North Shore): updated at 8:30 a.m.
- Kingcome River: upgraded to flood warning at 10:30 a.m.
A flood warning is the highest level in BC's system. It means river levels have already exceeded the top of the channel or will do so, causing flooding. The Centre also issued flood watches, one step below, for Vancouver Island and the Central Coast. High streamflow advisories, the lowest level, cover Southern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, the Fraser Canyon and the Chilcotin.
The Pemberton evacuation alert
The Village of Pemberton issued an evacuation alert at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, for properties along Airport Road from number 1674 to number 2000. An evacuation alert means residents at those addresses must be ready to leave immediately if told to. The Village gave heavy rainfall as the reason for flooding in the area.
An evacuation alert is not an order. Residents do not have to leave, but they should pack their emergency kit and keep it nearby. Anyone who does not feel safe should leave on their own, without waiting for an order.
The Howe Sound and Sea-to-Sky corridor, which includes Pemberton, was forecast to receive 120 to 160 mm of rain. The area is in a narrow valley where river flooding can rise quickly.
Wind warnings from Victoria to the North Shore
Environment and Climate Change Canada had wind warnings in effect across a wide area of southern BC on November 11. The affected regions, as reported by the Nanaimo News Bulletin, included Greater Victoria, Eastern Vancouver Island, the Haro Strait region, the west coast and inland Vancouver Island, and the South Coast. Gusts of up to 90 km/h were forecast near Haro Strait. The agency said winds were expected to ease by the afternoon.
The wind warnings were on top of the rainfall warnings. The combination raises the risk of falling trees and downed power lines, particularly in areas already weakened by last week's storms.
BC Ferries cancels two Comox sailings
High winds and rough seas in the Strait of Georgia forced BC Ferries to cancel two sailings on the Comox to Powell River route on November 11. The 9:55 a.m. departure from Little River in Comox and the noon departure from Westview in Powell River were both cancelled. BC Ferries said the decision was made to protect passengers and crew. The next scheduled sailing was the 3:15 p.m. from Little River.
CHEK News reported that BC Ferries said more cancellations were possible if conditions got worse. Passengers who had booked the cancelled sailings would be contacted about alternate arrangements or refunds. BC Ferries can be reached at 1-888-223-3779.
Road and travel risks
The Nanaimo News Bulletin reported possible short-notice closures on several major routes: Highway 99 through the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, the Malahat on Vancouver Island, and roads on western Vancouver Island. Pooling water and debris on the road are the main risks. Landslides are possible on steep, deforested or burn-scarred slopes.
BC's DriveBC service at drivebc.ca publishes road closures and conditions as they happen.
Shelters open across BC
BC Housing reported on November 10 that the province has 6,588 shelter spaces in 63 communities this winter, including 700 extreme weather response spaces that open when conditions make it dangerous for people to be outside. Those spaces are on top of the 793 temporary winter shelters that run through March 31, 2027. People in need can contact BC Housing, their local municipality, or dial 211 to find shelter in their area.
What to do if you are in a flood warning area
The BC River Forecast Centre recommends that people near rivers under flood warnings stay away from riverbanks and avoid flooded roads. Pemberton residents at the Airport Road addresses from 1674 to 2000 under the evacuation alert should gather their emergency kit and be ready to leave immediately when told to.
If you do not feel safe where you are, leave on your own without waiting for an order. Emergency Management BC can be reached through your local municipality or through the province's website. The BC River Forecast Centre updates its list of warnings and watches at bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca. Environment and Climate Change Canada posts weather warnings at weather.gc.ca. Road conditions are at drivebc.ca.
Remembrance Day ceremonies went ahead across BC on November 11. Environment and Climate Change Canada said winds were expected to ease by the afternoon, though rainfall was set to continue through Wednesday.
Questions this story answers
What is a flood warning versus a flood watch in British Columbia?
The BC River Forecast Centre uses three levels. A high streamflow advisory means river levels are rising but no major flooding is expected. A flood watch means levels will approach or may exceed bankfull, which is the edge of the channel. A flood warning means levels have already exceeded bankfull and flooding is happening or will happen. As of November 11, 2026, the South Coast, the Pemberton Valley and the Kingcome River are all under flood warnings, which is the highest level.
Which rivers in BC are under flood warnings on November 11, 2026?
The BC River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings as of November 11, 2026 for the South Coast including Howe Sound, the Sea-to-Sky corridor and the North Shore; the Pemberton Valley; and the Kingcome River on the central coast. Flood watches, the next level down, are in effect for Vancouver Island and the Central Coast. High streamflow advisories cover Southern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, the Fraser Canyon and the Chilcotin.
What is the evacuation alert for Pemberton?
The Village of Pemberton issued an evacuation alert at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, for properties along Airport Road from number 1674 to number 2000. An alert means residents must be ready to leave on short notice if told to. It is not a mandatory evacuation order. The reason given was heavy rainfall causing flooding in the area.
How much rain is BC getting in this storm?
Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast 150 to 200 mm of rain across the South Coast, with totals potentially exceeding 250 mm in some spots. Hourly rainfall rates of up to 10 to 15 mm were forecast for parts of Vancouver Island. The Howe Sound and Sea-to-Sky corridor is expected to receive 120 to 160 mm. This is on top of heavy rain that has been falling since last week.
Which BC Ferries sailings were cancelled on November 11, 2026?
BC Ferries cancelled two sailings on the Comox to Powell River route on November 11. The 9:55 a.m. departure from Little River in Comox and the noon departure from Westview in Powell River were both cancelled due to high winds and rough seas. The next scheduled sailing on that route was the 3:15 p.m. from Little River. BC Ferries said more cancellations were possible if conditions got worse.
Which areas have wind warnings in BC today?
As of November 11, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada had wind warnings in effect for Greater Victoria, Eastern Vancouver Island, the Haro Strait region, the west coast and inland Vancouver Island, and the South Coast. Gusts near Haro Strait were expected to reach 90 km/h. Winds were expected to ease by the afternoon.
What roads could be affected by the November 11 storms?
The Nanaimo News Bulletin reported that potential impacts included debris, pooling water and short-notice closures on Highway 99, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, the Malahat on Vancouver Island, and roads on western Vancouver Island. Landslides are possible in steep, deforested or burn-scarred areas. BC recommends checking DriveBC at drivebc.ca for road conditions before travelling.
What should BC residents do during a flood warning?
The BC River Forecast Centre recommends that people who live near rivers under a flood warning stay away from riverbanks, avoid flooded roads, and monitor their local emergency management authority for updates. Pemberton residents at the addresses on Airport Road under the evacuation alert should gather their emergency kit and be ready to leave immediately if told to. Anyone who feels unsafe should leave on their own, without waiting for an order.
Is this storm related to the storms that knocked out power across BC last week?
Yes. Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Nanaimo News Bulletin described it as part of a series of storms that have been hitting BC since last week. The BC River Forecast Centre's warnings say the rainfall totals for this event are on top of ground that is already saturated from earlier systems, which raises the risk of flooding and landslides.
Where can people find the latest flood and weather warnings for BC?
The BC River Forecast Centre publishes current flood warnings, watches and advisories at bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca. Environment and Climate Change Canada posts weather warnings at weather.gc.ca. Local emergency management authorities, such as the Village of Pemberton, post evacuation orders and alerts on their own websites and through Emergency Management BC.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- BC River Forecast Centre — current flood warningsbcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca
- Nanaimo News Bulletin — wind and rain warnings, Nov 11nanaimobulletin.com
- NetNewsLedger — Pemberton evacuation alertnetnewsledger.com
- CHEK News — Comox-Powell River ferry cancellationscheknews.ca
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