As rescue and relief efforts increase in areas hardest hit by floods and landslides, the government of British Columbia is expected to provide more information today on the state of emergency it has declared.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has indicated that the measures could include an order blocking all but essential travelers from passing, as limited access is slowly being restored along some roads.
Speaking from Washington, DC last night, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that 120 Canadian Armed Forces personnel had been dispatched to support relief efforts in Abbotsford, which was inundated by flooding. A military reconnaissance group was also dispatched to the provincial emergency operations center in Surrey. And more than 200 soldiers are on standby in Edmonton awaiting orders to deploy to British Columbia.
About 1,000 people trapped in Hope were able to get out last night when a single lane was allowed to pass on Highway 7, but an estimated 17,000 remain out of their homes as evacuation orders cover some 6,900 properties.
On another front, the RCMP says search efforts continue on a landslide along Highway 99 south of Lillooet, where a woman’s body was recovered this week and where police received reports of four people missing. .
Farm animals have suffered tremendous hardship from the disaster and Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says helicopter deliveries of food and water for livestock are being arranged on farms isolated by the floods.
Meanwhile, Trudeau said he will visit British Columbia “when the time is right.”
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“Obviously, our priority right now must be to get all the immediate help and rescue that people need,” he said at a press conference after his trilateral summit with the presidents of the United States and Mexico.
The prime minister noted that he has had multiple talks with his cabinet ministers, Prime Minister John Horgan and mayors of flooded communities to coordinate a response to the disaster.
“We will continue to be in the know and every step of the way we will do whatever it takes to help the people of British Columbia who are going through an extremely difficult time right now,” he said.
More #military deployments amidst the state of emergency due to floods. #Floods #BC #CDNPoli
Meanwhile, the province has announced that financial assistance will be available to people affected by the floods and landslides.
It says that requests for assistance should be submitted to Emergency Management BC by February 12 of next year.
This Canadian Press report was first published on November 19, 2021.
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com