SEVERE WEATHER Updated Feb. 4, 2020 10:07 AM
Widespread flooding, power outages and bridge washouts have shut down large portions of British Columbia, leaving tens of thousands of Canadians crying for help and hundreds of visitors at Sasquatch Mountain Resort trapped.
Around 500 people were staying at Sasquatch Mountain Resort in Fraser Valley when a weekend landslide wiped out the only connecting road down the mountain. As drone footage showed, immense damage from heavy flooding rendered the Hemlock Valley Road pass unusable.
To retrieve visitors, the Ministry of Transportation has been forced to fly residents to safety via helicopters, according to Global News. Around 200 people have been relocated by helicopter thus far, resort spokesperson Shelby Lim said. However, those helicopter saves have come with a price: $150 per person.
"There are people up here with medical conditions and … important medical appointments, and to charge them $150 to get off the mountain?" Jim Briar, a volunteer firefighter from the local area, told Global News. "I understand it’s no slam against anybody, but I’m wondering what the provincial emergency program is doing, or if they are doing anything, to accommodate these problems."
Heavy machinery has been hard at work repairing roadways to the Sasquatch Mountain Resort in British Columbia while hundreds remain stranded. (Drive BC via Storyful)
Briar added that the resort was stocked with plenty of food and the return of electricity , after dealing with power outages for over 36 hours, relieved worried residents. The resort's cafeteria and pub continued serving food to the guests, and individuals were still charged for the meals.
According the resort, power was restored shortly before 3 p.m, local time, on Sunday.
Lim said once power was restored, people were able to return to their heated cabins safely, where they can cook their own meals. Along with providing rides to safety, Lim added that the helicopters have also arrived stocked with food, supplies and propane for generators.
"If anybody is running out of anything, we’re here to help and assist. We’ve got lots of food up here, the helicopter companies are able to bring in more fuel," Lim said. "Anybody who lives on the mountain, if they need medicine, diapers, dog food , anything, we can get back to them and help them."
Authorities expect road repair efforts to take at least five days. In the 9:30 a.m. update on Monday morning, the resort said they are still waiting on official word from the Ministry of Transportation.
"If road evacuation does not occur, we will continue to run a helicopter shuttle through Librico Helicopters for $150 per person," the resort said on Facebook. "If you are on hill and interested, please visit Guest Services to sign up , the drop off is at the Chilliwack airport."
"The road is not open, however, we are currently waiting on an update from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding a temporary evacuation lane," the resort said in its statement. "If it is safe to do so, the Ministry of Transportation will escort guests down the road this afternoon with a certified escort/pilot vehicle . Please do not attempt to leave the mountain on your own as you will not be permitted down."
Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger declared a state of emergency for the municipality on Friday and said about 40 homes had to be evacuated north of Harrison Hot Springs when Rockwell Drive washed away.
REMINDER - Rockwell Drive - CLOSED due to a washout between Dogwood lane and Rockwell Lane. Assessment in progress, detour not available. Next update February 3 at 9 AM. #HarrisonHotSprings
For more information: bit.ly/2S6PhoF
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Elsewhere in British Columbia, a local state of emergency was declared in the Cowichan Valley Regional District due to the heavy flooding. The Cowichan Valley Regional District is located on the southern part of Vancouver Island.
According to the Vancouver Sun, over 50 people were evacuated in the area after major roadways were closed. A portion of the Trans-Canada Highway was shut down, further pushing the need for evacuations.
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The east coast of Vancouver Island was under a flood watch throughout the weekend, and the state of emergency led to widespread closures, including Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan campus.
"All classes and examinations are cancelled, and services are suspended. All employees and students are asked not to travel to the Cowichan campus today," the university announced on Saturday. "The next update will be on Sunday, February 2 at 6:30 pm for classes on Monday, February 3. Please do not start to travel to VIU’s Cowichan campus until you receive this update."
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