B.C. Floods 2021

Flooding is shown in Hay River, N.W.T., on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. About 3,500 residents have been ordered to evacuate a town in the Northwest Territories as volatile water levels never before experienced in some areas cause extensive flooding and damage. People in Hay River, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake just north of the Alberta-N.W.T. boundary, were told late Wednesday to get to higher ground, travel to Yellowknife or register at the town’s community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio

Residents who fled flooded N.W.T town can return; some services might be unavailable

Hay River is an important transportation and communications centre

Flooding is shown in Hay River, N.W.T., on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. About 3,500 residents have been ordered to evacuate a town in the Northwest Territories as volatile water levels never before experienced in some areas cause extensive flooding and damage. People in Hay River, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake just north of the Alberta-N.W.T. boundary, were told late Wednesday to get to higher ground, travel to Yellowknife or register at the town’s community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio
Flooding is shown in Hay River, N.W.T., on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. About 3,500 residents have been ordered to evacuate a town in the Northwest Territories as volatile water levels never before experienced in some areas cause extensive flooding and damage. People in Hay River, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake just north of the Alberta-N.W.T. boundary, were told late Wednesday to get to higher ground, travel to Yellowknife or register at the town’s community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio

Heavy flooding forces residents of Northwest Territories town from their homes

Never-before-experienced high waters in Hay River forces evacuation

Flooding is shown in Hay River, N.W.T., on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. About 3,500 residents have been ordered to evacuate a town in the Northwest Territories as volatile water levels never before experienced in some areas cause extensive flooding and damage. People in Hay River, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake just north of the Alberta-N.W.T. boundary, were told late Wednesday to get to higher ground, travel to Yellowknife or register at the town’s community centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio
Lowell Glacier in Kluane National Park, Yukon on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. The senior hydrologist with Yukon’s Department of Environment says there is a concern for flooding with record-high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Yukon hydrologist concerned about flood risk after cold April, record snowpacks

Rapid warming and significant rain would cause water levels in rivers to rise

Lowell Glacier in Kluane National Park, Yukon on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. The senior hydrologist with Yukon’s Department of Environment says there is a concern for flooding with record-high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Trucks haul loads of rock on a section of Highway 8 along the Nicola River that had to be rebuilt after it was washed away during November flooding on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Major wildfires, droughts and mudslides last year dramatically altered the landscape, raising questions about the river’s ability to handle the spring thaw. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. communities struck by wildfires and floods brace for spring thaw

Wildfires, droughts and mudslides raise questions about Nicola River’s ability to handle spring thaw

Trucks haul loads of rock on a section of Highway 8 along the Nicola River that had to be rebuilt after it was washed away during November flooding on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Major wildfires, droughts and mudslides last year dramatically altered the landscape, raising questions about the river’s ability to handle the spring thaw. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

After the flood: First Nations along B.C.’s Highway 8 work on recovery

People grapple with tough questions about how best to rebuild after twin climate change disasters

A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Yukon provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Yukon’s snow survey shows record high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Yukon’s record snowpack adds potential for flooding during ice breakup

April survey usually represents the peak snow levels in most of the territory

The Yukon provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Yukon’s snow survey shows record high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A person stands outside a truck at a greenhouse supply store and nursery surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. British Columbia mayors whose communities were devastated by last year's flooding and wildfires want the federal government to deliver billions of dollars in promised funding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. mayors dealing with flooding and wildfire damage call on feds to deliver funds

Local government reps met federal and provincial politicians Monday to ask about their $5 billion

A person stands outside a truck at a greenhouse supply store and nursery surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. British Columbia mayors whose communities were devastated by last year's flooding and wildfires want the federal government to deliver billions of dollars in promised funding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

14 B.C. First Nations and communities receiving funds to create new evacuation plans

Disasters in 2021 proved importance of evacuating people quickly in large-scale emergency situations

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photos by Caroline Mostertman)

Emergency preparedness ministers say a national flood insurance program is needed

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for emergency preparedness are working to…

The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photos by Caroline Mostertman)
This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)

‘Predictable and preventable’: Engineer says abandoned logging road contributed to fatal B.C. landslide

Fingers pointed only at intense storms when resource roads may be at root of many slides in province

This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)
Many homes on Fenchurch Avenue were destroyed and gutted by the flood. Spotlight file photo

Hundreds of Princeton flood victims face homelessness if no government intervention

Province struggles with outdated legislation binding it from funding a recovery camp

Many homes on Fenchurch Avenue were destroyed and gutted by the flood. Spotlight file photo
Heavy rain flooded a bridge crossing Reay Creek in Sidney as well the path running along the creek at the bottom of Frost Avenue in mid-November. Town staff recommend eventual relocation of the sewage pump station seen here as a long-term solution. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney infrastructure performed well through November storms, despite some issues

Much of Sidney’s stormwater system needs upsizing based on growth, future rainfall projections

Heavy rain flooded a bridge crossing Reay Creek in Sidney as well the path running along the creek at the bottom of Frost Avenue in mid-November. Town staff recommend eventual relocation of the sewage pump station seen here as a long-term solution. (Black Press Media file photo)
Castle Fun Park is hoping to re-open later this year. (File photo)

VIDEO: Abbotsford’s Castle Fun Park begins rebuilding after flooding

Owners share footage from inside damaged building, announce potential re-opening date

Castle Fun Park is hoping to re-open later this year. (File photo)
Traffic moves along highway 1 as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, November 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. residents urged to brace for heavy rains, snowmelt leading to possible flooding

Snowmelt combined with rainy weather ahead could lead to flooding

Traffic moves along highway 1 as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, November 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The flooding appears to be caused by an ice jam along the Quesnel River. (Cassidy Dankochik Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Northern B.C. town sees flooding due to ice jam, as winter weather continues

The Quesnel River is completely covered by ice

The flooding appears to be caused by an ice jam along the Quesnel River. (Cassidy Dankochik Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
King tides encroach on Imperial Lane homes in Ucluelet on Jan. 2.

King tides surge in Tofino and Ucluelet

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve urges residents and visitors to be CoastSmart

King tides encroach on Imperial Lane homes in Ucluelet on Jan. 2.
The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photo by Caroline Mostertman)

Class-action lawsuit filed to recoup losses from Sumas Prairie flooding in Abbotsford

Defendants were ‘grossly negligent’ in failing to properly warn residents, lawsuit states

The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photo by Caroline Mostertman)
A rail bridge washed out from the flood waters is pictured near Merritt, B.C. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Economic growth in British Columbia will face erosion from the recent floods and slides that crippled transportation links, but the resilience of government and industry to keep supply chains open limits the damage, says an economist. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Flood disaster takes bite out of B.C. economy, sends infrastructure wake-up call

Major highways and rail lines were destroyed in November’s storms

A rail bridge washed out from the flood waters is pictured near Merritt, B.C. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Economic growth in British Columbia will face erosion from the recent floods and slides that crippled transportation links, but the resilience of government and industry to keep supply chains open limits the damage, says an economist. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
EMCON has marked the repairs to the sinkhole with cones and warning signs. These repairs are temporary, the road won’t be fully repaired until summer 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Jordan River sinkhole repair timeline concerns resident

Permanent repairs are planned for summer 2022

EMCON has marked the repairs to the sinkhole with cones and warning signs. These repairs are temporary, the road won’t be fully repaired until summer 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Improvements made to Crofton Road resulted in it holding up well during the recent flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Newly rebuilt Crofton Road survives recent flooding with minimal damage

Ministry said there was some shoulder erosion that will quickly be fixed

Improvements made to Crofton Road resulted in it holding up well during the recent flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)