The Village of Pemberton (VOP) has warned residents that heavy rain in the forecast will increase the risk of landslides in the area, particularly in places impacted by recent wildfires.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Whistler and Pemberton area due to a low-pressure system off the Oregon Coast. Heavy rain is expected from Friday night into Saturday. It may also bring localized flooding.
VOP urged locals to take extreme caution over the next few days in a Facebook post.
“The combination of heavy rainfall and unstable soils could lead to landslides or debris flows, which pose hazards to public safety and infrastructure,” reads the post.
“High precipitation rates might also cause water pooling and localized flooding, particularly in areas with poor drainage. Communities with lower drainage capacities should stay alert.”
It advised people to sign up to the village’s emergency alert system.
Earlier this month, heavy rainfall led to a close call near the mountain village. Motorists were stranded north of Pemberton and Mount Currie this after a pair of mudslides closed Highway 99 overnight on Aug. 5. The slides were approximately 400 to 600 cubic metres. Luckily, no injuries were reported in the slides, and the highway was reopened that evening.
