Category: British Columbia

Housing for Displaced Flood Victims High Priority as Military Wraps BC Assistance

VANCOUVER, Wash.—The mayor of a British Columbia community devastated by last month’s floods says finding winter housing for displaced residents is his top priority with recovery efforts underway. Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne said about 300 people from the area are still on evacuation order and about one third of them will need accommodation. “We want…


Engineers Say Better Forecasting, Warnings Could Protect BC From Disasters

VANCOUVER—A panel of engineers says better forecasting and co-ordination could help prepare British Columbia for natural disasters, while they warn the spring thaw and rain could compound damage caused by recent floods. The engineers from the University of British Columbia shared their preliminary observations from November’s floods today, with geotechnical engineer Jonathan Fannin warning that…


Damaged Parks, Reduced Holiday Travel Among Impacts of Flood on BC Tourism

VANCOUVER—Parts of British Columbia’s tourism industry are facing another uphill battle with an uncertain recovery horizon after this year’s damaging storms. Some attractions and landmarks were seriously damaged by flooding in November, while highways mangled by mudslides mean some operators will go without the typical holiday bump to their bottom line. Walt Judas, CEO of…


Visit to Flooded Farm Gives ‘Greater Sense of Loss’: BC Agriculture Minister

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—The federal agriculture minister and her provincial counterpart said they were both moved to tears hearing about the devastation farmers endured in British Columbia’s recent floods and how those same people found the strength to help each other. Marie-Claude Bibeau was joined by her provincial counterpart Lana Popham on Friday for a tour of…


Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Hit British Columbia Again, Environment Canada Warns

British Columbians in the province’s southern coast should brace themselves for heavy rain and strong winds in the coming days, Environment Canada warns. The agency issued special weather statements on Dec. 9, warning Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler, Greater Victoria, and the Southern Gulf Islands, ahead of storms that will hit on…


BC Safety Agency Issues Worker Hazard Warnings for Flooding Cleanup

VICTORIA—Restoration companies and contractors in British Columbia that are about to help launch a massive flood cleanup and repair effort must be aware of the risks and hazards their work could pose to employees, says the province’s worker protection agency. The risks may be different depending on the flood and slide damage, but potential problems…


BC Moves to Recovery Management Phase After Floods; Most Military Leaving Province

VICTORIA—Gas rationing will continue in British Columbia as the Trans Mountain pipeline starts its transition to full service after floods and slides. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the lifting of the provincial 30-litre purchase order will occur as soon as the pipeline system is able resume full service, but until then, fuel limits will…


Ottawa Announces $14.7 Million to Fight Aquatic Invasive Species in Mountain Parks

BANFF, Alta.—The federal government is committing funds to fight aquatic invasive species in five mountain national parks in Alberta and British Columbia, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced Saturday. Guilbeault made the announcement in Banff, Alta., with $14.7 million being made available over the next five years to prevent and manage invasive species in Banff, Jasper,…


Ship That Lost Containers Moves to Nanaimo, BC: Coast Guard

NANAIMO, B.C.—A cargo ship that lost more than 100 containers into the Pacific Ocean after a fire on board has been cleared to travel to the Port of Nanaimo in British Columbia. Officials say the MV Zim Kingston was scheduled to leave Constance Bay near Victoria on Friday on a trip that was expected to…


More Than Two Dozen Weather Warnings in Effect Across Rain Sodden British Columbia

More than two dozen weather warnings remain in effect across southern and coastal British Columbia as another storm hits the province where people are still cleaning up from previous flooding and mudslides. Environment Canada says the central coast and the west coast of Vancouver Island could see up to 150 millimetres of rain, with up…