Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
British Columbia·Feature

'It sucks:' Vancouver reacts to seemingly endless rain

Monday's rainfall warning meant dozens of broken umbrellas were jammed into garbage cans around Vancouver before sundown.

Not much respite in sight following Environment Canada's heavy rainfall warning on Monday

Tina Lovgreen · CBC News ·
Rainfall warning continues for second day in a row for Metro Vancouver. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Monday's rainfall warning meant dozens of broken umbrellas were jammed into garbage cans around Vancouver before sundown. 

Earlier, Environment Canada had issued a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver — with up to 90 millimetres of rain expected — and Vancouver Island, which was forecast to receive 100 millimetres in 24 hours.

Dozens of broken umbrellas got jammed into garbage cans around the city during Monday's heavy rain. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Vancouverite Peegy Lai said putting on the water shield on the stroller is a hassle, but you get used to it. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

The downpour meant there were flash floods, localized flooding and washouts near creeks and culverts. 

But the rainfall warning didn't stop Vancouverites from going for a jog around the seawall, going to a yoga class, or even going for a walk in flip-flops.

Daniel Kim, 24, said he was a bit cold walking around Robson Street in his flip-flops, but he said he was too lazy to put on anything else. 

Daniel Kim, 24, who lives in Vancouver, said he was too lazy to put on his rainboots today and decided to just go out in flip-flops. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Michael Frolick, on the other hand, was fully-suited up in his waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, waterproof shoes and waterproof gloves.

"So I'm pretty much invincible," he joked. 

"I feel like as long as you're dressed for the rain, it doesn't really matter. But I look forward to when the sunshine comes back," he said. 

Heavy rain couldn't stop Vancouverites from going about with their day. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

There could be some sunny breaks on Tuesday, but rain is expected to make a comeback on Wednesday. 

Which puts a real damper on Ana Castan's plans.

"It sucks," said the 35-year-old tourist who is visiting from Mexico. 

Castan, sporting a a yellow poncho and bike helmet, said cycling Stanley Park would be much better in shorts. 

Ana Castan, 35, is visiting Vancouver from Mexico. She said sightseeing in a poncho isn't the way she'd prefer to do things. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Ana Castan, 35, is visiting Vancouver from Mexico. She said it sucks biking around Stanley Park in the rain, but you can't change the weather. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

It's hard to disagree, even if you've come to terms with living in "Raincouver."

"It's going to be like this. You just have to have a positive attitude and go on a hot vacation," said Jill Spoor.

It's rained 24 out of 29 days so far this month. That's not a record, though it is well above seasonal for rainfall totals and number of days of rain.

Ontario native Colleen Alexander, 90, said she'd much rather have the rain than the snow. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

But at least it's warm, said 90-year-old Colleen Alexander. 

"I don't care," she said. "I came from Ontario, and I hate the snow and the ice.

"I spent years taking the subway and having the thing break down and having to walk through snow. Forget it!"

A couple under an umbrella on a rainy day.
A chance of drizzle throughout the day in Kitchener-Waterloo. Getting to a high of 10 C. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

With files from Johanna Wagstaffe.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|