The Central Saanich Emergency Program has been advised through EMCR and ECCC of several storm systems:

4 storms in an active 5 days of weather tonight until next Wednesday. Storms of note are:

1. Storm 1 Today
2. Storm 2 Saturday
3. Storm 3 Sunday combined with a Storm in Hawaii
4. Storm 4 Monday and Tuesday which are the Atmospheric Weather Notifications (36-hour event)

Storm 3 and 4 of special interest for Central Saanich with a Special Weather Notification. Not a warning. Atmospheric River conditions bringing precipitation to Southern BC as well as low barometric pressure. The combination of high tides this weekend and the low pressure, wind and waves can result in higher-than-expected coastal water levels most notable on Sunday at 10:54 am.

In coordination with our neighbouring EPCs in North Saanich and Sidney a consistent messaging approach will be applied if necessary. Our current plan is note below:

Storm 3:

• Raise awareness to weekend staff , Duty Chief and Response Officers
• Roads & Drains have staff on standby and some staff for call-out over the weekend.
• Water & sewer have staff on standby and some staff for call-out over the weekend.
• Visual monitoring of any minor coastal flooding conditions Saturday and Sunday morning. Winds SE at 30kph avg. Front passes earlier at 2am on Saturday. Sunday has higher risk than Saturday.
• EPC and EPM to decide Saturday afternoon if:

• • EOC Level 1 is activated.
  • Additional Sand Bagging expectations (Municipal Yard has already provided public sandbags for the past 4 weeks.)
  • EP Notifications – Social Media notifications
  • First Nations Coordination

Storm 4:

River forecasting has advised on low stream flow and snowpack that is currently low. Precipitation is considered lower for Peninsula than other parts of Vancouver Island. Risk matrix is showing yellow alert and low impact:

Lots of uncertainty in the current forecasting. System is much smaller than our 2021 experience of the Atmospheric River.

Parks staff have been conducting fall maintenance works – clearing of debris, park inspections, looking for danger trees. On Monday Parks staff will conduct additional danger tree inspections for major Parks and areas of higher risk.

Roads & Drains have staff on standby and some staff for call-out over Monday night. Staff will be inspecting problematic culverts and roads Monday in preparation for the atmospheric river on Monday night.

Water & sewer have staff on standby and some staff for call-out over Monday night. Staff will check emergency systems, SCADA and standby generators, for operation Monday in the event of power outages.

Summary:

Storms 1 and 2 have little impact to Central Saanich. Storm 3 will be monitored by the Emergency Program and staff. Storm 4 will have further notifications coming over the weekend and update at 11am on Monday morning.

Central Saanich will have little impact on stream flows and no flooding expected as precipitation is lower than other parts of Vancouver Island. The risk of minor coastal flooding is an advisory only and the EP will manage and escalate a response with an EOC if required.

A separate update will be going out to Council shortly.

Regards,

Kenn Mount, ECFO, BA, CLA

Fire Chief, EPC, Central Saanich Fire Department

1512 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton BC V8M 1W9

250.415.8066 | csfire.ca | csfiresmart.ca