Vancouver nearing consecutive-day rain record
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 | 11:28 AM ET
CBC News
The current record is 28 days, set in January 1953.
"With respect to the total rainfall, it hasn't been really extraordinary, just consistent," said David Jones, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
As of Tuesday morning, about 200 mm of rain had fallen since Dec. 19, and rain is forecast daily until at least Saturday.
The dismal weather hasn't dampened Vancouverites' plans. They're still out and about, and kids are playing in the rain.
- FROM JAN. 20, 2005: 1 dead as mudslide destroys North Vancouver neighbourhood
But on the North Shore, there are concerns more rain could cause a repeat of the mudslides a year ago.
"We're monitoring ground water conditions, and our geotech crews are monitoring things regularly. We didn't have that last year," Richard Walton, the mayor of the District of North Vancouver, told CBC News on Monday evening.
Last January, North Vancouver declared a state of emergency after a mudslide destroyed two homes. One woman was killed when she was trapped under debris.
Since then, the district has installed a series of meters monitoring moisture in the soil. Local engineers say recent moisture levels are still below levels that preceded the 2005 mudslides.
People are also being warned to stay away from rain-swollen springs and creeks.
"It's not a good time to be going close to them. I just did a quick check in the past hour and all the major water courses are significantly up," said Walton.
"We have had instances in the past when people have fallen into creeks. Even dogs could fall in."
