COQUITLAM, B.C., December 9, 2025 – Coquitlam residents are advised to prepare for 50 to 80 mm of rain between Tuesday night and Wednesday evening.

The warm air system bringing this rain means freezing levels will also rise, creating snowmelt that poses high stream flows and a risk of localized flooding. 

City Taking Preventative Measures

The City takes proactive and preventative measures to help manage the impacts on the community and City services such as:

• Ensuring critical catch basins and drainage intakes are clear and in good condition.
• Having crews inspect and clear catch basins and culverts with a priority focus on known problem areas and to deal with other reported issues as required.
• Monitoring water levels along the Fraser and Coquitlam rivers to gauge response and mitigation measures as needed.
• Reminding construction sites to prepare for heavy rainfall and inspecting developments to ensure compliance with City bylaws.
• Conducting annual tree assessments to remove hazardous trees from public spaces.
• Having additional crews and equipment on standby and ready to respond to emerging situations.

As part of these standard measures, City crews are actively sweeping roadways to clear any debris.

Preparing for Risky River Conditions

The BC River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch with river levels rising and potentially reaching or exceeding banks. Fast-flowing rivers pose a higher risk to life safety; therefore, we urge residents to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and creeks, including potentially unstable riverbanks.

Visit PreparedBC’s resources on preparing for flood hazards, and the City’s webpage on flood preparedness.

Residents Can Help Reduce the Risk of Flooding

Localized flooding can happen when drain pipes become blocked by tree roots or debris. Residents can help reduce flooding by:

• Clearing gutters and catch basins: Keep the catch basins near your property and gutters on buildings clear of leaves and debris. Rake up leaves and debris to prevent them from plugging drains. View our catch basins map, and consider adopting one near you.
• Clearing ditches and culverts: If you have an open ditch along or next to your property, check to see that it is clear. Common items such as toys, balls, and other debris can often get lodged in the culverts and cause water to back up.
• Do not blow leaves from private property onto City streets: Doing so can greatly increase flooding risk by blocking catch basins.
• Cleaning foundation drains and sumps: These drains collect water from homes and properties, and direct it to the City storm sewer. The pipes can become blocked by leaves, dirt, roots or debris and should be flushed out periodically, or in some cases replaced. 
• Repairing broken or damaged pipes: Broken or damaged pipes can cause blockages and flooding of your home. Check that your home drainage system is working properly.

Report emergency City drainage problems to Coquitlam’s Engineering and Public Works line at 604-927-3500 or by completing our Online Service Request form, which are both available and monitored 24 hours a day. 

Staying Safe Out in the Community

• Motorists and pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when traveling in heavy rain, and treat any intersection with a traffic signal that is blank or flashing as an all-way stop.
• Watch out for and avoid walking or driving through pooling water on roads and pathways. Do not wade through flood water.
• Watch for falling trees or branches and postpone hiking through forested parks and trails, in particular pathways along ravines or steeper slopes, due to increased landslide risk.
• Never touch hanging power lines.
• Call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.

Visit coquitlam.ca/HeavyRainfall for more tips.

Media contact:

Brad Lofgren
Director, Public Works
epw@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.