‘My thoughts are with the people of British Columbia’: Queen Elizabeth II shows support in wake of B.C. floods

Queen Elizabeth II says she is thinking of people in B.C., as the province deals with catastrophic flooding, leading to deadly mudslides, thousands of evacuations, and a provincial state of emergency.

The Royal Family shared the Queen’s message on social media Monday:

“My thoughts are with the people of British Columbia as you continue to confront the recent catastrophic flooding and gradually begin the process of recovery and rebuilding. I am grateful for the tireless work of the many first responders and volunteers who continue to provide comfort and support to their fellow Canadians during this difficult time.”

Abbotsford was hit by flooding, with many farmers losing livestock and crops. Hundreds of people were also forced from their homes. Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun says the floodgates at the Barrowtown Pump Station have fully opened, with water flowing straight from the Sumas River into the Fraser River.

People in Merritt are getting ready to head back to their city, a week after the community was evacuated due to destructive flooding. The city says it’s very close to bringing its waste water treatment plant back online, which will be a key step in getting people back home.

The Queen has sent the following message to the people of British Columbia following flooding and landslides in the Canadian province. pic.twitter.com/Or2M0jPyOX

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 22, 2021

Flooding has also closed several B.C. highways, affecting the supply chain and leading the province to introduce fuel rations. Some gas stations have run dry since Friday’s fuel restriction announcement and some shelves at certain grocery stores have been empty.

British Columbians have been urged to stop panic buying, as industries do what they can to ensure the supply chain is not completely cut off.

“We’ll find other ways. This is what the industry does, we’ll find ways, we’ll make it happen, we will find options to get the goods that everybody relies on to be where they need to be,” Dave Earle with the BC Trucking Association told CityNews on Sunday.

Related articles:

• British Columbians urged to stop panic buying amid supply chain issues

• Exemptions exist for British Columbians needing to drive to U.S. for fuel, food

• B.C. defends order restricting fuel for parts of province as stations run dry

Earle says it’s “all hands on deck” right now to ensure British Columbians have access to the goods they need, with coordination happening at all levels.

Given the exceptional circumstances in B.C. the federal government is assuring people who may need to cross into the U.S. that some COVID-19 exemptions exist when they come back home.

According to a statement from the Canada Border Services Agency, given the devastating floods, “travellers and essential workers who must travel to or through the United States to get to their residence in Canada, access necessities such as food and fuel, or ensure that essential services and economic supply chains continue, are exempt from the COVID-19 pre-arrival test, the test in Canada, and quarantine requirements.”

B.C. has been a popular destination for the Queen over the years. She has visited the province 12 times, according to the Monarchist League of Canada, which adds she is believed to have met, shaken hands, or spoken to (in person) over 100,000 British Columbians during her reign.

Her last trip to B.C. was in 2002 with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for her Golden Jubilee.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar and Greg Bowman