More flood-related evacuations ordered in southern B.C.

Heavy rainfall and resulting floods and mudslides have forced more B.C. South Coast communities to issue evacuation orders and declare states of emergency.

In Mission, the city ordered residents living in the Benbow Street sub-division in Hatzic to leave their homes for a second time “given the further extreme rainfall seen across the Fraser Valley which has resulted in localized flooding in areas of Mission.”

A state of emergency for the Benbow Street area was declared on Tuesday and is set to last until Dec. 7, possibly earlier.

Read more: Hard-hit Fraser Valley Regional District makes ‘urgent plea’ for provincial flood relief

Meanwhile, in the Squamish-Lillooet area, the regional district has issued an evacuation order for dozens of properties in a small rural community northeast of Pemberton “due to immediate danger to life safety caused by a landslide hazard at Neff Creek, near Birken.”

Those covered by the order include properties on Birken Lane, Stanley Road, Pemberton Portage Road, and others in the area.

(Courtesy Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)

Residents are being told to head south toward Pemberton or Whistler for shelter and supports. Transportation assistance may also be available for those in need of help by calling 604.894.6371.

Before leaving, locals are being told to close all windows and doors, shut off all appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers, close all gates (but not lock), and try to limit the number of vehicles needed to evacuate. Take what you need and put pets in kennels or on a leash, the district advises.

People in the community near Birken are also asked to not use the phone unless you are in need of emergency services.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District declared a state of emergency Tuesday for Electoral Area C in response to the slide near Birken. The state of emergency is in place until at least Dec. 7.