The B.C. government is urging south coast residents to protect their homes from potential floods as heavy rain is on the way and will combine with melting snow to cause damage. An advisory from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change says the rain or snow at higher elevations is expected to hit the south, central and northern coasts; Haida Gwaii; and Northern Vancouver Island. Emergency Management BC says sandbags will be made available by local governments, while residents need to clear out gutters and make sure their perimeter and stormwater drains are clear. Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings starting Tuesday morning through to Wednesday night with those areas expecting 50 to 150 millimetres of rain. Rising freezing levels and melting snow will increase river flows and prompt localized flooding, the weather office says. It says rainfall amounts for western Vancouver Island could reach up to 175 mm.
