Up to 120mm of rain expected in parts of Vancouver Island as storm nears B.C.

PORT ALBERNI — The British Columbia coast is set to be struck by a potent storm that could bring as much as 120 millimetres of rain to some areas.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for western and inland Vancouver Island, where the rainfall rate is expected to top 10 millimetres an hour for several hours.

The agency says the heaviest rain is expected from Tofino north to communities such as Port Alice and Zeballos.

Heavy rain is also expected for the central coast including Bella Coola, while the north and central coasts face gusts up to 110 kilometres an hour.