Woman remains missing after floods destroyed Highway 8 near Spences Bridge

More than a week after floods and mudslides devastated communities throughout B.C., we’re hearing about the catastrophic damage along Highway 8 and its impacts on residents near Spences Bridge.

At least one person who lived along Highway 8 north of Merritt remains unaccounted for, according to Steven Rice, the electoral area director for the region.

He is among the evacuees and says the situation is horrific, especially since they do not know what happened to one of his neighbours.

The Ministry of Transportation shared several aerial images of the flood-damaged Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge showing large sections completely destroyed. (Courtesy Flickr/B.C. Ministry of Transportation)

Rice says the area lost cell service and internet in the floods, adding he didn’t know the woman didn’t get to safety until four days later when Telus was able to restore some coverage in the region.

“My Facebook post came on and the last comment I got from her said, ‘I’m in my yard and I can’t get out, but I’m still okay.’ But I got that four days later…we knew she was by herself…it’s difficult times,” he said.

The RCMP say the investigation into her whereabouts remains on-going and her family is requesting privacy at this time.

“The flooding situation has made it difficult for family to get to a position where all close family can be notified and while every effort is being made, there are some extenuating circumstances which are making it impossible,” Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet wrote in a statement to CityNews Wednesday morning.

Highway 8 is BC’s interior is gone… like, no longer exists. #merritt #BritishColumbia #bcflood #bcfloods pic.twitter.com/GKkuqDTuVi

— Bradley Friesen (@BradleyFriesen) November 20, 2021

Before unprecedented rain fell last week, the community could be accessed by both Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, as well as Highway 8 (Merritt-Spences Bridge Highway) — both of which are now blocked off.

Damage to Highway 8 just outside of Spences Bridge shows a complete road washout due to the surge in the Nicola River, with no estimated time of reopening, not even to essential traffic.

“Eighteen segments of that highway sustained substantial damage, four bridges are either gone or damaged,” said B.C. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming on Tuesday.

#BCStorm update: We have completed an aerial assessment of our infrastructure along the #BCHwy8 corridor between #SpencesBridge and #Merritt, and we’ve found substantial damage – including at least 75 power poles that have washed away. pic.twitter.com/qapRM7edhX

— BC Hydro (@bchydro) November 22, 2021

Many residents who live near the highway were forced to leave their homes on Nov. 16 when an evacuation order came into effect.

An evacuation order was issued Nov. 16 for properties along Highway 8 and the Nicola River due to flooding. The highway was heavily damaged and several bridges were destroyed. (TNRD)

Rice says the damage is so bad he suspects a new road will have to be built elsewhere.

“The residents of highway 8 will likely not be able to go home for years if ever. The road is destroyed!” he wrote in a Facebook post, saying the plight of these residents have been ignored by the media.

Rice tells CityNews about a half dozen people have lost their homes, and several have lost their properties, which are their livelihoods in the ranching community.

“This was where they were going to raise their animals, and retire, sort of their dream come true and it turned into a nightmare…there’s no land there, there’s no home there,” Rice said of the area.

He says he also feels for his neighbours in Lytton, after the entire community was destroyed by a wildfire in the summer. He worries these small Interior communities will be ignored by the province and repairs will be focused on routes like the Coquihalla Highway.

“The whole corridor is displaced,” he said about the region and its current transportation crisis.

An online fundraiser “Help displaced Spences Bridge hwy 8 residents” has been set up to help dozens of people impacted by the highway washout and flooding. (GoFundMe)

An online fundraiser has been set up to help cover the costs for evacuees, including helicopter trips to get them back to Spences Bridge to see the damage firsthand.

“There are several areas requiring funding; They desperately need to access their land and homes in order to winterize, and collect some clothing, personal items, business records and papers and so on,” the GoFundMe reads. 

Related Articles:

• Highway 7 reopens after crash west of Agassiz, essential travel only

• Red Cross issuing flood affected households $2,000, B.C. braces for next weather event

• Concerns mount as evacuated B.C. migrant workers unable to work, ineligible for EI

On Tuesday, the B.C. government announced it is working with the Canadian Red Cross to provide financial support to help people meet the immediate needs associated with being displaced by flooding.

Eligible households will receive $2,000.

To access these supports, affected British Columbians need to register with the Red Cross by calling 1 800 863-6582, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.