B.C. expecting 500 troops by Sunday night, railways may reopen midweek

Hundreds of military troops are making their way to the flooded regions of B.C., while Ottawa says work is underway to clear vital supply railways and get evacuees on employment insurance.

Speaking Sunday, Defence Minister Anita Anand says more than 500 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel should be in the province by end of day Sunday, with thousands more on standby should the province request additional help.

“Canadian Armed Forces members have been evacuating stranded motorists conducting damage assessments, rescue livestock conducting root reconnaissance, preparing to mitigate the impact of expected heavy rainfalls, and repairing and protecting critical infrastructure, including the Sumas dike,” Anand said, adding personnel are bringing as much of their own food and equipment as possible to avoid straining local sources.

Defence Min @AnitaOakville says by the end of today (Sunday Nov. 21) more than 500 CAF troops will be in BC providing #BCFlood support
Been evacuating stranded motorists, rescuing livestock, doing damage assessment, preparing for expected heavy rain, delivery food, finding routes

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) November 21, 2021

CAF also has 12 aircraft dedicated to the flood efforts, most of which are already in the province, and just transported a sandbagging machine to B.C.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says aircraft have finished their flyovers to assess the railway washouts between Ashcroft and North Bend.

“Based on feedback from rail operators, we are optimistic that rail corridors will open by midweek,” Alghabra said. “This will be an important step in the recovery of our supply chain and ensuring essential goods and get to where they need.”

B.C.’s Lower Mainland out to Hope, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Sea-to-Sky region, and Sunshine Coast remain under fuel rations, with the province asking non-essential drivers to limit the amount of fuel they buy per gas station visit to 30 litres. The province has also asked residents in these regions to not hoard food beyond what they need for everyday living.

Related articles:

• Abbotsford floodgates fully open, state of emergency extended
• Rain on the way as Abbotsford, other B.C. communities struggle with floods
• Exemptions exist for British Columbians needing to drive to U.S. for fuel, food

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun announced Sunday the repairs to the dike have allowed the floodgates at the Barrowtown Pump Station to fully open, with water flowing straight from the Sumas River into the Fraser River. Water levels also dropped on the eastern portion of the Sumas Prairie by three inches in the first six hours of the gates reopening.

“There’s been some improvement and receding of the waters, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said. “And and to be very clear, we remain concerned about any all rain events in the region simply because the ground is quite saturated.”

Abbotsford has extended its state of emergency for another week, through Nov. 29.

Rain is also expected Monday around Merritt and Princeton, across the South Coast and the Southern Interior. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather alerts for heavy rain associated with an atmospheric river cover Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and the surrounding communities.

Wind warnings have also been issued for the North Coast, Central Coast, and Haida Gwaii.

The B.C. government notes the River Forecast Centre has also issued flood watches for the North Coast region.

Ottawa waiving need for flood evacuees to prove employment for EI

The federal government is waiving the need for people to provide proof of employment to receive Employment Insurance if they are now out of work because of the floods, according to Minister of Employment Carla Qualtrough.

“Obviously it could be very difficult in these times to get that particular document,” she said. “We’re looking at the reality of pandemic benefits and people having exhausted their EI …. We can assure Canadians and workers that we’re going to be there for them.”

Q: Are normal rules for EI being suspended?
Qualtrough: We are waiving requirement for record of employment as it could be very difficult in these times that get that piece of particular document. Also considering how some ppl may have depleted EI during COVID & how to help them

— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) November 21, 2021

She says evacuees applying for EI will need to provide their usual mailing address as well as an address where they can currently get mail. People are encouraged to apply for direct deposit, but mailed cheques are an option.

Service Canada centres in the region remain open for regular business hours. The Outreach Support Center phone line is also available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. toll free at 1-877-631-2657, with voicemail available after hours.

Service Canada has also been in touch with employers who have temporary foreign workers to verify their safety and well-being.