2 confirmed dead, 2 missing in atmospheric river waters

Police across coastal B.C. say two people are dead and another is still missing after record-breaking rainfall during the region’s first atmospheric river of the season washed out roads, flooded homes, and caused mudslides.

The Coquitlam RCMP confirmed Monday that the missing resident of a home that was swept away in a mudslide has been found dead.

Canada Task Force 1 — Urban Search and Rescue and Coquitlam Fire and Rescue found the 57-year-old woman on Sunday evening.

The woman was identified Monday as Sonya McIntyre, a teacher at Aspenwood Elementary.

Mounties say on Saturday, Oct. 19, they received reports of the mudslide on Quarry Road between Calgary Drive and MacIntyre Road.

“This is a deeply tragic outcome and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends,” said Corp. Alexa Hodgins. “We would like to thank Canada Task Force 1 – Urban Search and Rescue and Coquitlam Fire and Rescue for their search efforts and locating the victim.”

Officials from School District No. 43 in Coquitlam helped identify McIntyre Monday, saying its priority now is to support students and staff at the school where she was a “valued teacher.”

The school district says support will be in place as long as necessary.

Coquitlam itself recorded more than 250 millimetres of rain over three days, with most of the Lower Mainland and B.C.’s South Coast seeing between 100 and 200 mm during the atmospheric river event.

The massive three-day storm broke 12 one-day rainfall records in B.C.

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Quarry Road remains closed as the mudslide has rendered the street unpassable, “which has affected several residents on the other side of the slide,” Hodgins shared on Sunday.

“First responders are in contact with the residents and confirmed that [they] are able to shelter in place, but there is no updated timeline as to when the road will be cleared.”

Mounties say McIntyre’s family has been notified.

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Nearby, Coquitlam Search and Rescue (CSR) is looking for a man who went missing near the Coquitlam River Sunday evening.

It is believed he fell into the river.

Few details are available now, but in a release Monday, Coquitlam RCMP says the 59-year-old man, Robert Belding, was last seen near Pipeline Road and Galette Avenue around 5 p.m. Sunday.

Mounties say they and the man’s family are very concerned for his well-being and are working with CSR.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen him or has information on his whereabouts to call the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file 2024-27890. If people want to stay anonymous they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

1 confirmed dead after 2 missing drivers washed away in Vancouver Island river overflow

Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, the Port Alberni RCMP says one person was found dead in a flooded vehicle, and another is suspected to be stuck in a vehicle that search and rescue crews cannot yet reach.

Around 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Mounties received a report of a missing person who was expected to have arrived in Victoria after leaving Bamfield.

“RCMP were able to ping the cell phones belonging to the missing, which returned that one of the phones last connected with a cell tower within a 3km radius of the 58km mark on Bamfield Rd. A helicopter was deployed to the area to conduct an aerial search and Alberni Valley Search and Rescue were requested to assist in the search,” Port Alberni RCMP said Monday.

That night, the family told police they had found the missing person’s truck fully submerged in the Sarita River. 

Police say due to the fast-flowing water and low light, emergency services were unable to confirm if the truck was still occupied, but the missing driver was found dead a short distance away.

An hour after the first, another person was reported missing, after not arriving in Bamfield from Port Alberni.

That person’s vehicle was found in the Sarita River, and police say search and rescue are hoping to conduct a swift water recovery on Monday.

Police say the vehicle is “believed to contain the second missing person.” The missing person’s dog was located near the river by good Samaritans who then contacted the family. 

The RCMP is urging people to stay clear of the river and the area where water is still flowing fast. 

“This portion of the Bamfield Road is susceptible to flooding, especially around high tides. Also, police want to remind everyone that attempting to cross flooded roadways can be extremely dangerous.”

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—With files from Maria Vinca and Aastha Pandey-Kanaan.