Canada Deploys Military to Evacuate Flooded Areas

In Canada, the army is called in to help with evacuations in the west of the country. The province of British Colombia has been hit by “catastrophic” floods, which have claimed at least one life. The death toll is likely to rise; further, authorities said. Also, the enormous damage caused by landslides has not yet been properly mapped out.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is currently in Washington, said heavy rains had caused “historic and terrible flooding” that “seriously disrupts the daily lives of residents of British Colombia”. He said hundreds of soldiers were on the way with emergency supplies. They can also assist in the evacuation of flooded areas.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of the province of British Colombia, John Horgan, declared a state of emergency. He imposed a travel ban, telling reporters that the rainfall, wind and flooding “has destroyed entire communities.” In 48 hours, especially in the south, there was as much rain as normal in a month. He confirmed one death but fears the number will continue to rise in the coming days.

The extreme weather phenomena in British Colombia come several months after unprecedented heat waves that hit the area this summer. Then more than 500 people died from extreme temperatures, and wildfires destroyed a place. “These types of events will become more frequent as a result of climate change,” Horgan said.

The worst rainfall was over by Tuesday afternoon, and about 300 motorists who got stuck on a highway were rescued by helicopters. Still, Henry Braun, the mayor of Abbotsford, a hit town about 50 miles southeast of Vancouver, said: “it’s not over yet.” He said he feared a repeat of the past few days. “If we get another storm like this, it’s not good,” said Braun.

Meanwhile, near Lillooet, a town about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, the search is still on for possible survivors after landslides. Motorist Kathie Rennie told Canada’s CBC that “entire mountainsides came down and dragged several cars along.”

Supermarkets in the area were difficult to supply, and Prime Minister Horgan urged residents not to hoard. “You don’t need 48 eggs, just buy a dozen and leave something for someone else,” he urged residents.

Several roads were damaged or impassable as a result of the storm. Vancouver is largely cut off from the rest of the country. Rail connections to and from the city have also been affected.