Large areas in the western region of British Columbia in Canada have been submerged after several days of heavy rain. According to Canadian authorities, 250 millimeters of rain fell on Monday in and around Vancouver – as much as the region normally receives in one month.
The large amounts of water have caused serious damage. A woman has lost her life and rescue workers say at least two are missing. Several thousand have been evacuated.
Canadian authorities said on Wednesday that they were sending troops to flooded areas in the country to help evacuate and protect people from floods and landslides.
– EVACUATED: Several thousand have been evacuated due to the heavy rain. Photo: Jonathan Hayward / Scanpix
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A witness told CBC News that panic ensued when a landslide crashed on several cars stuck on the road.
– The people in front started screaming and running. The look in their eyes. It was like a tsunami. It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.
Floods in the town of Merritt led to damage to the town’s sewage treatment plant, and two bridges were taken by the water masses.
Extensive damage
The Minister of Transport of British Columbia, Rob Fleming, described according to CBC News the storm as the worst in a hundred years. Highways, bridges and railway tracks have been destroyed, and rescue crews are struggling to reach them.
Around 300 people had to be taken out with military helicopters, after a landslide blocked the road.
In the town of Agassiz closer to the coast, 275 people were stuck in cars between two landslides Monday night. Among other things, the authorities deployed helicopters to lift up motorists who were trapped.
The floods have also cut train links to Canada’s largest port. This means that more ships will be stuck in the port, without the possibility of unloading the containers with food, fuel and other goods.
– AGRICULTURE: The flooded area is very important for the production of eggs and milk in British Columbia. Photo: Jonathan Hayward / Scanpix
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– Nothing is worth your life
In the city of Abbotsford, they are preparing for catastrophic consequences. Tens of thousands of cows and hundreds of thousands of chickens are in danger of drowning here.
This valley area accounts for half of egg and milk production in British Columbia. Hundreds of farmers have defied evacuation advice and chosen to stay with their livestock.
On Tuesday, fears grew that a central pumping station, which keeps the Fraser River out of the valley, would collapse. If the pumping station fails, it will cause the water level to rise by three meters.
– You must evacuate immediately. Nothing is worth your life. Tomorrow it may be too late, said rapporteur Henry Braun.
During the night, more than 180 residents of Abbotsford were rescued by helicopter.
– DRUNKS. Hundreds of thousands of domestic animals are at risk of drowning. Photo: Jennifer Gauthier / Scanpix
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