B.C. storm recap: Flooding displaces thousands, washes out roads

People in some B.C. communities who were forced to leave their homes due to widespread flooding are now trying to come to terms with what happened.

Nearly 300 people were rescued by helicopter off B.C.’s Highway 7 between Agassiz and Hope Monday, but many others remained stranded for a second night, as mudslides washed out sections of roads and blocked access.

As of Tuesday morning, Metro Vancouver was completely cut off from direct road access to the rest of the province.

And while extreme rain and wind has eased for much of the southern part of B.C., a new worry is growing as temperatures drop.

“Cold, arctic air is now rushing in so daytime temperatures in places like Merritt, Princeton, over to Kamloops — they’re barely going to be above freezing. Eastern parts of the Fraser Valley too — mid, single digits for daytime highs,” explained Meteorologist Michael Kuss.

However, he notes the plummeting temperatures are expected to help slow the flow of water coming off the mountains.

Evacuations: Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Merritt, Princeton

People living in the Yarrow area of Chilliwack have been told to leave their homes right away in response to “the potential danger that may arise due to flooding.”

The city has issued an evacuation order for people living in the area from Boundary Road to Brown Road, and all of Majuba Hill.

Those who are displaced are being asked to head to the Reception Centre at the Neighbourhood Learning Centre in Chilliwack Secondary at 46363 Yale Road to register.

“Due to the highway closures and extremely limited hotel availability, evacuees are strongly encouraged to stay with family and friends,” the city notes.

The evacuation alert for #Yarrow has been upgraded to an Evacuation Order. Affected residents should register at the Reception Centre at the Neighbourhood Learning Centre (Chilliwack Secondary School) at 46363 Yale Road. Press release: https://t.co/vVizJMDIqL

— City of Chilliwack (@City_Chilliwack) November 16, 2021

In Abbotsford, some emergency alerts have been upgraded to orders as flooding worsens.

On Tuesday morning, an evacuation order was issued for about 800 properties in the Sumas Prairie area of the city due to rising floodwaters. People are urged to leave immediately and travel east toward Chilliwack to an evacuation centre there. Travel west and all other backroad routes are closed due to flooding.

Locals in Merritt and Princeton were among those told to drop everything and go Tuesday, as water levels rose amid intense rain.

On Tuesday, an evacuation order was issued for the entire city of Merritt. Flooding rendered the community’s wastewater treatment plant inoperable, leading to the decision to shut off water in the city because of contamination.

“The water is undrinkable, even if boiled,” the city said in a tweet.

The City of Merritt will be shutting our water off because it has become contaminated due to the flooding. The water is undrinkable, even if boiled. We strongly urge residents not to consume any water. pic.twitter.com/tpyM3JmO1Y

— City of Merritt (@CityofMerritt) November 15, 2021

Floods also washed out roads and bridges, with the risk to health and safety heightened across the community.

“From one side of town to the other there is a good section that’s underwater,” Merritt local Jonathan Woodcock told CityNews Monday morning. He noted that while flooding is not uncommon in the spring, what was happening this week was unprecedented and unlike anything he’d seen before this time of year.

Merritt evacuees have been asked to seek refuge with friends or family outside of the city, or to head to either Kamloops or Kelowna, depending on their house numbers.

Meanwhile, nearly 300 homes and businesses have been evacuated in Princeton.

“In 1995 we had a major flood — that was the last one of my memory. There was another one in ’72, but nothing like this one. This one, from everybody I talked to, they say this one is way different, it’s way more water, faster, than we’ve ever seen,” Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne said.

Princeton is at the junction of two rivers — the Tulameen and Similkameen. The former breached, sending water flooding into low-lying areas, with stunning images showing homes under water and debris everywhere.

There were also concerns of flooding from the Similkameen side, with volunteers working non-stop to lay sandbags.

Despite the difficulties the town has faced, Coyne says the community and volunteer-led response has been operating in high gear.

Flooding in Princeton on Nov. 15, 2021 (Courtesy: Rhonda Viau-Caron)

We’ve also heard from one man who did whatever he could to rescue his aunt and her dog after the waters of the Tulameen breached dikes, sending water flooding into her home.

“At one point she said [the water] was like up to her neck on the first floor in her two-floor place. She said it just started rising so fast, and so she just went upstairs and then waited this out,” Justin Greer recalled.

He eventually would rescue his aunt and her four-legged friend by using a boat he spotted tied up by a home.

Road closures

Flooding has created a real mess of roads across southern B.C. As previously mentioned, Metro Vancouver was completely cut off by direct road access to the rest of the province due to floods and mudslides closing major routes.

Highway 1 through Abbotsford, as well as near Bridal Falls and again through the Fraser Canyon, Highway 99 and Highway 91 in Richmond, Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge as well as a section between Hope and Agassiz, and the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt are among the major routes impacted by this latest storm.

Some of these major routes have seen structural damage due to mudslides, with estimated times of reopening not provided for most.

You can view all the latest closures here.