Strong winds are forecast for coastal areas of British Columbia this weekend, potentially causing damage and power outages, before another period of prolonged rain hits the region.

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for areas including eastern Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria and parts of Metro Vancouver, with gusts of up to 90 km/h expected early Saturday , particularly in exposed coastal areas.

“A frontal system will move across the South Coast this evening, bringing a period of brief but strong gusty winds to the region,” the agency said in a warning for coastal areas of Metro Vancouver.

In Haida Gwaii, southeast winds up to 90 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h are expected to usher in the weather system Friday evening.

“Damage to buildings, such as roof shingles and windows, may occur,” the wind warning for Haida Gwaii states. “Loose objects can be thrown by the wind and cause injury or damage. High winds can throw loose objects or break tree branches.”

More rain on the way

The winds will usher in another period of wet weather to coastal British Columbia, following last weekend’s atmospheric river weather system that caused localized flooding and triggered mudslides and washouts, killing at least three people .

About 350 millimeters of rain are estimated to have fallen in North Vancouver over three days this past weekend.

But Environment Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh said the rain forecast for this weekend would be “nothing” compared to the last storm and would come in a series of “pulses.”

He said North Vancouver could receive up to 75 millimeters of rain in the coming days, but it will fall over several days and with less intensity than last weekend.

“With the atmospheric river, we have seen precipitation rates of the order of 10, even beyond 20 millimeters per hour, which is extremely high,” he told The Canadian Press on Thursday.

“In this case, we notice that precipitation rates drop around four to eight millimeters per hour, perhaps reaching 10 (in) extreme cases.”

Evacuation order is lifted

The District of North Vancouver has lifted an evacuation order for six properties in the Deep Cove area that had been in place since Sunday morning.

The district said crews have finished addressing hazards caused by last weekend’s heavy rains, including restoring creek flow and drainage to the area.

Mayor Mike Little said crews have been working all week to ensure drainage basins are clear in case more rain is expected.

“We picked up rocks and debris that fell into streams and rivers and spread across streets throughout the district,” he said Thursday.

Little said he is confident the district’s systems will be able to handle the forecast rain, although he is concerned that some areas are still “vulnerable to moderate rainfall” after recent flooding.

He said the Woodlands area of ​​North Vancouver has seen rocks falling into streams since last weekend and the channels need to be cleared.

Little, whose basement was also flooded, said some homes in the neighborhood were “seriously damaged” and it would take time for residents to recover.