North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton says he's optimistic an evacuation alert issued to about 1,000 people because of the possibility of mudslides could be lifted later tonight.

The alert was put in place for 296 homes Thursday night because of concerns the heavy rainfall could trigger a landslide. But the rain appears to have eased during the day.

Residents have been told they'll get one hour's notice to leave their homes. Ambulance services and buses are on standby.

North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton
North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton

"During last year's [mudslide], there were a surprising number of people who had broken legs and couldn't drive," said Gary Calder, North Vancouver's fire chief.

Authorities say alerts could become more common due to the death of a resident after the same area was hit by slides last January. College teacher Eliza Kuttner was killed and her husband dragged from the rubble after a torrent of trees and mud washed away their home.

Some residents aren't happy with the evacuation alert.

Homeowner Bill Maurer told CBC Newsworld the warning is too broad, covering too many homes.

"It's a bit of overreaction this time. The number of homes affected by the alert is probably twice as many (as) evacuated the last time."

Maurer's home is farther away from the dangerous escarpment area but it is included in the evacuation plan.

"It causes a lot of anxiety when you put too many homes on alert," said Maurer, who added he wouldn't be happy if he was told to leave.

Phil Holland of the Seymour Valley Community Association agrees. He says the residents have had little access to geological studies being done on the area.

"The studies are being done for the district's lawyers," Holland told CBC Newsworld. "The community has no access to that information. We're given an evacuation alert and that's it."

Holland says he's not worried about a possible landslide and he would not leave his home if authorities told him to leave.

People have been told to pack their bags and medicines, and make arrangements for their pets.

"They are quite safe in their homes unless they hear from us further," said James Ridge, the area's chief administrative officer.

As a result of last year's devastation, the district installed technical equipment to monitor groundwater levels.

Authorities say if a total of 70 millimetres of rain falls by the end of the day, they may have to evacuate the area. Forty millimetres had fallen by 9 a.m. local time.

British Columbia's lower mainland has received 26 consecutive days of downpours, two days short of tying the record for consecutive days of rainfall.