British Columbia Premier John Horgan declared a state of emergency on Wednesday following flooding and mudslides that wreaked havoc in the southern part of the province.
With this new measure, Mr. Horgan wants to ensure access to basic services as well as supply to communities throughout the province.
Travel restrictions will be imposed to ensure the rapid transport of essential goods and medical equipment as well as to allow emergency vehicles to circulate.
Earlier, residents of the low-lying Abbotsford area were told they had to evacuate the area immediately due to a significant risk to human life.
Mayor Henry Braun told a press conference on Wednesday that conditions had deteriorated severely over the previous night due to the condition of a critical pumping station whose ability to operate is threatened.
This station is the only thing that currently prevents the waters of the Fraser River from engulfing the majority of homes in the Sumas Prairie area, he said.
Authorities say the Barrowtown station is preventing water from filling what was once Sumas Lake, but they say the lake will fill up if the station stops pumping and water from the nearby Fraser River will also start. to invade the plain.
“For now, it’s holding,” he commented of the Barrowtown pumping station. Staff spent Tuesday night piling sandbags around the station.
“I feel much better today than last night,” admitted Mayor Braun, recalling that the danger was not yet behind. The level of the river, which has fallen two meters since the end of the storm, must drop another meter so that the dams can be opened and allow the water to come out more quickly.
An evacuation order targeting around 1,000 properties in the Sumas Prairie area was issued on Tuesday following heavy rains that raised water levels over the past weekend. The region has many agricultural enterprises producing dairy and poultry farming.
Fire Department Director Darren Lee said around 180 rescues were successful between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as many trapped residents called for help fleeing the scene.
“During the night, we brought in more helicopters when we realized that the flooding was getting worse in the eastern part,” he shared. Three helicopters transported citizens to shelters while 11 crews aboard boats also helped get people out.
No one has been reported missing, Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr said.
In the morning of Wednesday, 80 people who asked for help were still waiting for help. The emergency teams were busy completing the operation at the start of the day.
Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair has indicated that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have been called in to assist. Soldiers must get there quickly to speed up the evacuation.
“In response to the extreme flooding in southern British Columbia, we have approved the deployment of Canadian Forces air support personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, support supply routes and protect residents from flooding and landslides, ”he wrote on his Twitter account.
Defense Minister Anita Anand in turn confirmed that the FAC was preparing their intervention. It assesses how the military can provide logistical assistance or even transport, supply chain support or humanitarian aid.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau maintained that his government was in communication with the authorities of the province to provide assistance in particular to maintain the supply chain when the highway system was severely damaged. He says he himself spoke with Prime Minister John Horgan and some mayors on Tuesday evening.
Neighboring premier Jason Kenney has also offered to help British Columbia. He says he had two conversations with Mr. Horgan to offer him all the support he needed.
At least one victim, a woman, lost her life in the disaster confirmed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
A fire breaks out
In addition, a major fire broke out on Wednesday at the site of a recreational vehicle dealership in Abbotsford. The fire services were called to go to the site to put out the blaze.
About a hundred RVs were parked tightly on the retailer’s property and around 40 firefighters were needed to fight the flames.
To add to the complexity of the operation, high-voltage lines passing just above the scene of the fire presented an additional element of danger.
Local residents have been instructed to keep doors and windows closed due to the potentially toxic smoke.
American cities affected
Just across the border in Washington state, American cities were also badly affected by the torrential rains.
In Sumas, around 500 evacuations were required. Mayor Kevin Christensen told The Seattle Times that emergency services are going door to door as the water drops.
In nearby Everson, a 59-year-old man, Jose Garcia, has been reported missing after water washed away his van. In Ferndale, the population has been ordered to evacuate the premises. A man who found himself in the waters of the Nooksack River with his car was rescued by a handful of witnesses who brought him back to the dry.
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee declared a severe weather emergency in 14 counties on Monday.
With the Associated Press