B.C. deluge could bring 250 mm of rain as search for missing canoeist suspended - Global News

Parts of B.C. are being warned to brace for a third series of storms that have been lashing the South Coast.

Environment Canada has raised orange rainfall warnings in west and central Vancouver Island, Howe Sound and the Sea-to-Sky regions, meaning the “severe” storms are likely to cause significant damage and disruption.

Some areas could see up to 250 millimetres of rainfall, the organization said, while others could get up to 160 millimetres.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says a flood watch is also in effect for the North Shore, Sea-to-Sky region and parts of Vancouver Island, including Metro Vancouver north of the Fraser River.

Environment Canada says rain will persist throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday. Water pooling on roadways is possible.

It is also warning about landslides due to the heavy rain and unstable slopes.

The search for a man missing on Vancouver Island has also been suspended amid the stormy weather.

Dakota Smith, 35, was seen last Friday while fishing in a motorized metal canoe on the Johnstone Strait.

His canoe was found hours later on the opposite shore, roughly 11 kilometres away from where he was last seen.

An extensive search has taken place over the last few days, through the rough weather, and RCMP say the chances of survival have been drastically reduced.

They said the ongoing weather conditions are also making it unsafe for water and shoreline searches.