Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island as a series of menacing storms promise to bring heavy rains and high winds to B.C.’s South Coast between Wednesday and Sunday.

Read the full weather statement on Environment Canada's website

Rainfall amounts could exceed 200 millimetres in some coastal areas and more than 100 millimetres further inland. In the mountains, some areas could see as much as 400 millimetres of rain over the four-day period.

The first of four systems is expected to arrive Wednesday night with heavy rain and winds possibly exceeding 80 km/h. A second storm is expected early Friday, and a third will make landfall on Saturday.

The final storm is expected to be the worst of the trio.

"Remnants of Typhoon Songda could pack quite a punch," Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald told CTV Vancouver.

"Currently the forecast models are developing as to a major storm so we'll have to wait and see as we get closer, but definitely potential is there for widespread impacts and strong winds."

The area remains under a special weather statement for now, but weather watches and warnings are likely during the next several days.

"It's going to be continuous heavy rainfall, so every storm is going to bring 50 to 80 millimetres of rain," MacDonald said.

"Potentials for flooding are definitely there and even landslides once we get into the North Shore mountains."

MacDonald said the storm cycle is similar to one that passed through the area 13 years ago, bringing prolonged rainfall, but added that the forecasts are early predictions, and could change as the cycle begins.

"It sounds pretty grandiose but we'll see how it all plays out," he said. "This is definitely an impressive storm cycle early in the season. Be prepared for power outages."

A similar system last week knocked out power for 100,000 BC Hydro customers and had crews hopping on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver.

The system brought down trees and branches on power lines, and damaged power poles and transformers.

BC Hydro has meteorologists on staff helping the utility predict when and where powerful storms like this will impact customers.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day that allows us to make sure we have the right people and the right equipment in the right places so we can get the power back on as quickly and safely as possible,” said Mora Scott, a BC Hydro spokesperson.

Scott says people living on the south coast should stock up on candles, flashlights and batteries ahead of this series of storms.

With files from CTV Vancouver's Penny Daflos