By Doug Collins/Global News

Storms have started to batter the Lower Mainland

Oct 13, 2016 | 6:14 AM

VANCOUVER —  The first of a series of storms is starting to batter the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Global News weatherman Mark Madryga says it’s very wet and windy, and it’s going to get worse.

BC Hydro reports just over 1000 outages on the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast, while there are 2500 outages right now on Vancouver Island.

The Rainfall Warning continues for the region.

The third storm is apparently going to be the big one, Saturday late morning through Saturday night southeast winds could easily reach gusts up to 100 km/h and once again heavy rain with another 50 millimetres.

Because of the storms, the Grouse Grind has been closed, and the River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for much of Vancouver Island.

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Some areas there could get 200 millimetres of rain by the time the third storm is done Saturday and Sunday.

We aren’t expecting that much rain in the Interior, but Kamloops will still have lots of rain to deal with over the next few days. The forecast is for showers this morning with some wind, and periods of rain beginning tonight with 5-10 millimeters expected. More rain is forecast for the weekend as well.

So far, as of 6:30 AM, roads are good, but there is snow reported this morning on highway 5 north near Blue River.