Environment and Climate Change Canada has indicated that an intense, low-pressure system is headed toward northern Vancouver Island, bringing strong southeasterly winds for the South Coast on Sunday afternoon through to Monday.

The Province is urging British Columbians to prepare and be diligent as Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued weather alerts for heavy rain and strong winds on Friday, Sept. 17, for communities in south coastal B.C.

Another 38 communities throughout B.C. have been awarded funding for flood planning through a program that has provided more than $75 million to First Nations and local governments for projects to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to emergencies.

Local governments and First Nations in 54 communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $1.8 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support the work of emergency operations centres.

With the 2021 wildfire season well underway, the B.C. government has stepped up with more than $20 million to reduce risks around communities and support new research into predicting wildfire activity.

Thanks to a $7.5 million top up to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), seven more local governments and First Nations communities have had structural flood mitigation projects approved, helping them reduce the impacts of flooding.

The risk of spring flooding is elevated in B.C. due to an above normal snowpack.

Local governments and First Nations in 28 communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $1 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to support evacuation route planning.

Two Vancouver Island communities have been approved to receive their share of more than $8.5 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding.

Six communities throughout southwestern B.C. have been approved to receive their share of more than $8.5 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding.