December 16, 2012 - 1:33 PM
DELTA, B.C. - Emergency crews for the municipality of Delta, B.C., south of Vancouver, will be on standby overnight preparing for a storm surge that could lead to localized flooding.
The office of Mayor Lois Jackson says strong north-westerly winds are expected between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday, putting low-lying areas of Tsawwassen (Sa-WA-sun) at risk (including Tsawwassen Beach, Westham Island and waterfront areas along the Tsawwassen First Nation.)
Engineering crews were inspecting dikes and the low-lying waterfront areas on Sunday, as well as planning to monitor those areas throughout the storm watch.
The mayor's office says the surge is expected to coincide with a low tide shortly after midnight Monday (for the Boundary Bay and Beach Grove areas), reducing the risks of flooding in that area.
Delta's Emergency Operations Centre was readying to be activated early Monday, if the conditions warrant a co-ordinated response.
The mayor's office says it will be providing further updates on the city's website, Facebook and Twitter, noting specific flooding conditions are difficult to predict as weather patterns constantly change.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012