Flood watches cover Vancouver Island and large sections of the coast as some areas face more than 250 millimetres of rain

VANCOUVER — Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026 – National News Service – An evacuation alert is in effect for properties along Airport Road in Pemberton as very heavy rain raises river levels across coastal British Columbia.

The Village of Pemberton issued the alert at 4:15 p.m. PST Tuesday because of flooding. People in the affected area must be ready to leave on short notice. It is an alert, not an evacuation order.

The BC River Forecast Centre has flood watches in effect for the Pemberton Valley, South Coast, Vancouver Island, Central Coast and Fraser Valley North. A flood watch means rivers are rising toward or possibly above their banks and adjacent flooding may occur.

Orange warnings signal high-impact rainfall

Environment Canada’s orange rainfall warnings cover West and Inland Vancouver Island, Howe Sound and the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

West and Inland Vancouver Island are forecast to receive 150 to 200 millimetres, with localized totals exceeding 250 millimetres. Rainfall rates could reach 10 to 15 millimetres an hour and possibly 20 millimetres an hour at times.

Howe Sound and the Sea-to-Sky corridor face 120 to 160 millimetres, possibly more. Heavy rain may ease temporarily Wednesday before intensifying again late in the day. Rainfall remains possible into Thursday, with another system expected Friday.

Yellow rainfall warnings cover additional areas, including Metro Vancouver, eastern and northern Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Central Coast and western Chilcotin.

Flood and transportation impacts developing

EmergencyInfoBC lists the Pemberton evacuation alert as the province’s active flood evacuation event. The alert covers properties from 1674 to 2000 Airport Road.

DriveBC reported water pooling and heavy rain along sections of Vancouver Island highways Tuesday night. The provincial Transportation Ministry warned that Highway 99 through the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, the Malahat and western Vancouver Island roads could face debris, pooling water and short-notice closures.

Officials advise people to stay away from rivers, creeks and culverts. Drivers should check conditions before travelling and avoid entering floodwater.

Source note: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s B.C. rainfall warnings; EmergencyInfoBC’s Pemberton evacuation alert and flood-watch summary; the BC River Forecast Centre; and the B.C. Transportation Ministry’s storm travel advisory.