Evacuation order issued in Cowichan Valley, alert in Fraser Valley as rain pummels parts of B.C.

An evacuation order has been issued for a handful of properties in B.C.'s Cowichan Valley, on Vancouver Island, as officials warn of possible flooding from the Chemainus River.

Emergency Management Cowichan issued the order at around 10:30 a.m. PT Monday, amid heavy rains from an atmospheric river that has battered the province over the last few days.

The order covers 11 properties along Swallowfield Road, Chemainus Road and Crofton Road. Anyone affected by it is told to leave immediately.

Chemainus Road is closed at the Chemainus River Bridge, and a reception centre has been set up at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan.

The North Cedar Fire Department, located just south of Nanaimo, B.C., is also warning residents about a possibility of flooding in low-lying areas.

It says the Nanaimo River has "risen significantly over the last couple of days."

The department, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the local search and rescue group are monitoring and assessing the situation.

Alert around Chilliwack River

The heavy rainfall has also prompted an evacuation alert in B.C.'s Fraser Valley.

There, the regional district warned people near the Chilliwack River on Sunday that high river flows were causing "potential danger to life and safety."

The district said the alert includes all lands between Allison Pool and Chilliwack Lake near the river or within its floodplain, and is encouraging residents to make a plan and pack essential items in the event they need to leave abruptly.

Rainfall warnings are in effect for most of B.C.'s South Coast, with Environment Canada saying heavy rain is expected to continue through Monday.

The weather agency says about 120 to 190 millimetres of rain fell on the island over the weekend and a further 50 to 80 millimetres is expected Monday.

It says up to 150 millimetres is expected in Metro Vancouver Monday while up to 100 millimetres is forecast in the Fraser Valley.

Environment Canada says B.C.'s North Coast, including Kitimat, saw heavy rain throughout the day Sunday, and periods of rain are expected until Tuesday.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says it is maintaining high streamflow advisories for Haida Gwaii and the north, central and south coasts along with the Lower Fraser region.