Coquitlam braces for heavy rain and strong winds as weather alerts prompt public safety measures.
Coquitlam residents are encouraged to take precautions as Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning, with 40-70 mm of rain expected over the weekend. Strong winds are also expected on Saturday.
The forecasted rainfall has led the River Forecast Centre to issue a Flood Watch for the region. River levels are expected to rise quickly in response to rainfall on Friday, and remain high through Saturday and into Sunday. Residents should avoid going near rivers and streams throughout the City.
In addition to sharing public safety information, the City is taking proactive measures and has completed work to help manage the potential impacts, including ensuring critical catch basins, intakes, and ditches are clear, sweeping and clearing debris, clearing vegetation and sediment from watercourses, and scheduling crews to keep infrastructure clear.
Localized flooding can happen when drain pipes become blocked by tree roots or debris. Residents can help prevent flooding by clearing gutters and catch basins, cleaning foundation drains and sumps, clearing ditches and culverts, repairing damaged pipes, and not blowing leaves from private property onto City streets.
Report emergency City drainage problems to Coquitlam’s Engineering and Public Works line at 604-927-3500 or by completing the Online Service Request form, which is available and monitored 24 hours a day.
Community precautions include being watchful of fallen trees, postponing hikes through forested parks, staying clear of fast-flowing rivers, watching for falling branches, avoiding wading through flood water, exercising caution when walking or driving, and never touching hanging power lines.
To prepare for windstorm conditions, secure items that might blow away, and have an emergency plan and kit ready for your family. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/WinterPrep.
To report a tree on City property that appears to have storm damage, contact Coquitlam Parks & Facilities Customer Service at 604-927-6300. To report debris on roadways, contact the City’s Engineering Customer Service line at 604-927-3500. For power outages or hanging power lines, call 1-800-BCHYDRO or *HYDRO.
Media contact: Brad Lofgren, Director, Public Works, 604-927-3500, epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm meaning ‘Red Fish Up the River’. The City is honored to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓, and other Coast Salish Peoples.