B.C.’s Peace region is picking up the pieces after devastating flooding this week. The City declared a state of emergency today as the flood waters recede unveiling extensive damage. Lisa Coldwells with Environment Canada says Dawson Creek received historical levels of rain over Wednesday and Thursday.
“For daily rainfall amounts, Dawson Creek recorded on June 15th its all-time daily rainfall ever of 89.8 millimetres.”
The area’s highway network took extensive damage with several closures still in place. Some of the worst hit stretches of road are in the Pine Pass between Mackenzie and Chetwynd where there has been multiple washouts.
“It will take at least a number of days for us to rebuild and repair,” explains Marie Butz with the Ministry of Transportation. “So recommendation for anyone needing to connect from the Northeast to southern parts of the province would be to encourage travel through Alberta.”
100 kilometres west, Chetwynd is also under a state of emergency. Minister of State of Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto says they have expedited emergency financial assistance, and began accepting applications today.
Written by Colin Dacre