B.C. declares state of emergency in wake of devastating flooding, mudslides

THE LATEST:

• The B.C. government has declared a state of emergency effective noon PT Wednesday.
• The federal government has approved deployment of air force personnel to help B.C. with flood aftermath.
• Thousands remain evacuated from towns in southern B.C., including Merritt and Princeton.
• 184 people were rescued from the Sumas Prairiearea in Abbotsford overnight after the city issued urgentpleas to evacuate the area late Tuesday.
• Highway 7 has reopened for westbound travellers stranded in Hope.
• For a list of up-to-date flood warnings, visit the River Forecast Centre.
• For a full list of evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Information B.C.

British Columbia's government declared a provincewide state of emergency effective noon PT Wednesday, Premier John Horgan said at a news conference.

The announcement comes after record-breaking rainfall caused major flooding and several mudslides thatleft hundreds of people in the Lower Mainland stranded or cut off from essential services.

According to the premier, the declaration will give the government greater flexibility to help keep goods moving, as major road closures have hampered the supply chain.

Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and one woman was confirmed deadTuesday after a mudslide swept across a portionof B.C.'s Highway 99.Investigators have received reports of at least two other people who are missing.

"We expect to confirm even more fatalities in the coming days," said Horgan.

The state of emergency is in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of extending it if needed.

It is intended to help the government get rail and roadways back up and in operation.

"Our focus is on clearing, repairing and reopening roads to connect the Interior and the North to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, to get our supply chains moving," Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming said in a statement.

WATCH | Premier John Horgan declares state of emergency:

B.C. premier declares state of emergency over flooding

3 years ago

Duration 1:15

John Horgan says the government will bring in travel restrictions to ensure that essential goods and medical and emergency services are able to reach the communities that need them.

Fraser Valley situation

In the Fraser Valley, evacuation orders remain for residents in the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford.An evacuation order for thecommunity of Yarrow and Majuba Hill in Chilliwack was downgraded to an evacuation alert Tuesday evening.

Abbotsford city officials said Wednesday morning that 184people hadbeenrescued from the Sumas Prairie area overnight with support from the local police, fire and search and rescue teams.In Chilliwack,officials say 640 evacuees have already registered at an emergency reception centre.

Residents in areas of both cities under evacuation alert were endangered by what officials called the "imminent failing" of theBarrowtown Pump Station, which, as of Tuesday night, was theonly thing keeping excess water flow from the Fraser River from entering the flooded area.

The stationwasalso in danger of being inundated with floodwaters flowing north from the Nooksack River in Washington state.

However, city staff and volunteers in Chilliwack and Abbotsford worked through the night to build a 25-metre dam around the station to hold back the rising water.

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said Wednesday morning the dam has bought the city some much-needed time and protection.

The University of the Fraser Valleyin Abbotsford has cancelled classes for the rest of the week, and schools in Chilliwack and Hope were closed Wednesday.

RV dealership fire

A large structural fire that was burning at an RVdealership in Abbotsford, in the area of Sumas Mountain Road andNorth Parallel Road, has now been extinguished.

According to officials, around 100 RVsout of about 500 on the lot were on fire Wednesday morning.

"This truly was a team effort from all involved to prevent further damage and spread," the Abbotsford Police Department said in a statement.

Earlier, residents who had remained in the area were being asked to stay indoors as smoke from the fire could be toxic.

Cut off and stranded

All four highways that connect the Lower Mainland with the rest of the province have been closed by landslides and flooding that dumped a month's worth of rain overtwo days.

Thousands of evacuees remain in more than 20 evacuation centres across the province, with the city of Hopehosting 1,100 peoplewho are currently cut off from the Lower Mainland. Officials said they are working to provide an access road to the community.

Fleming saidTuesday crews had begun work on restoring the province's highway network, but did not have specific timelines for when crucial arteries would reopen.

Fleming said Highway 3 might be able to reopen by the end of the weekend, but he wouldn't hint at when the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1), the Coquihalla (Highway 5), and Highway 99 would reopen.

As of Wednesday evening, Highway 7, between Agassiz and Hope, was reopened to westbound traffic.

"The intent of this opening is to allow those people stranded in Hope to make their way toward the Lower Mainland," said a spokesperson with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The highway is set to closeagain following an evacuation of passenger vehicles, with emergency vehicles continuing to have access.

Staff are prioritizing Highway 3 to ensure access to the Interior from the Lower Mainland is not cut off.

Work will take longer on Highway 5 and Highway 1, with staff confirming washoutsand mudslides on both routes.

Federal assistance

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said there are still "options" for the province's supply chain at the moment, urging people to be patient.

He chairedthecabinet meeting Wednesday where attendees discussed the need to declarea provincial state of emergency.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he would be willing to provide any support the province needs.

On Wednesday morning, Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said the federal government has approved the deployment of air force personnel to help B.C. deal with the aftermath of the floods.

Also Wednesday, the CanadaBorder Services Agency said in a statement that given the current situation in B.C., travellers who must passthrough the U.S.to get home toCanada are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test, the test in Canadaand quarantine requirements.

READ MORE:

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledges help for British Columbians.
• The president of the B.C. Trucking Association is urging people not to panic buy after highway shutdowns led to hoarding in some communities.
• Experts warn that "rare" flooding events in the Fraser Valley could become more common and more intense as the planet warms.
• A hastily constructed dam has reduced risk of catastrophic floodingin Abbotsford.

Anyone placed under evacuation order should leave the area immediately.

To find an evacuation centre close to you, visitthe Emergency Management B.C.website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register withEmergency Support Servicesonline, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

Road conditions can be checked atDriveBC.