By Ian Holmes

Trio of powerful storms barreling toward Nanaimo area, says forecaster

Oct 11, 2016 | 5:35 PM

NANAIMO — An Environment Canada meteorologist warns that a series of three intense storms which includes the outer bands of a typhoon are about to pound the south coast.

Armel Castellan says back-to-back storms scheduled to hit overnight Wednesday and then again on Thursday afternoon are slated to bring heavy rain and wind to mid-Vancouver Island amounting to an expected 100 mm of precipitation by Saturday.

“I hesitate to use historic because we don’t generally forecast records, but in this case we’re seeing something that is a remnants of a typhoon,” said Castellan. “Adding to that Wednesday night and Thursday evening double-barreled low pressure system is something of concern and we’re paying particular attention to it.”

Castellan says some areas could get 200 mm of rain or more. At this point the remnants of Typhoon Songda should arrive locally by midday Saturday, according to Castellan

He says inconveniences such as fallen trees, power outages, localized flooding and soil erosion are likely if the weather pattern holds up.

murder trial

Closing arguments scheduled in trial of Nanaimo woman accused of dismembering ex boyfriend

5h ago

SAFE DIGGING

Nanaimo leads the Island region in underground gas line damages in 2023

7h ago

early morning spraying

Aerial spray treatments for invasive months coming to Vancouver Island

8h ago

Castellan notes that the volume and frequency of rain expected is heightening the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.

“Low-lying flooding is certainly a concern that is an impact of having that kind of rain sustained over not just a couple of hours with an afternoon thunderstorm that we see in the summer time, but now we’re into the fall.”

Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for east Vancouver Island. It warns of heavy rain and winds of 80 km/hr in exposed coastal areas. The statement added that details concerning the precise track and intensity of the storm will become more clear and that warnings are likely for multiple regions throughout the next several days.

Castellan warns that the gloomy weather may not be done after the anticipated third storm strikes on Saturday.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, there could still be some storm cycles hitting for perhaps Tuesday and Wednesday next week.”

Check back with NanaimonewsNOW.com for frequent updates on the fallout from the incoming storms.