Close X
Monday, December 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Second mudslide victim's body found as more high winds strike B.C. coast

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Dec, 2024 11:44 AM
  • Second mudslide victim's body found as more high winds strike B.C. coast

High winds are again hitting the coast of British Columbia, as gusts surpassing 100 km/h have been reported at several outlying islands.

The continuing stormy weather comes as police say emergency crews have recovered the body of a second victim killed in a mudslide in the Sea to Sky region during another windstorm last weekend.

Environment Canada says it has issued a wind warning for B.C.'s north and central coast including Haida Gwaii, northern and eastern Vancouver Island as well as parts of the Sunshine Coast, including Powell River.

The agency says winds in some areas may reach 120 km/h, presenting potentially hazardous driving conditions.

In response to the warnings, BC Ferries say a number of sailings in Haida Gwaii and the areas near Campbell River and Hornby Island were cancelled, although most crossings have resumed as conditions improve.

A weather advisory for Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands also warned of gusty winds in the area that may lead to power outages and disrupt travel plans.

Environment Canada data shows gusts reaching 140 km/h and beyond at Sartine and Solander islands off the northern coast of Vancouver Island today, while locations such as Sandspit and Masset in Haida Gwaii are reporting gusts of 90 km/h or above.

The frontal system that brought high winds to coastal B.C. this weekend also caused temperatures to spike in a number of communities, with Bella Bella, Prince Rupert, Qualicum Beach and West Vancouver all breaking decades-old high-temperature records on Saturday.

In response, Avalanche Canada has elevated the risk level to "considerable" for a number of alpine areas along B.C.'s coast, including most of Vancouver Island, much of the mountainous regions north of Metro Vancouver, as well as the area north of Kitimat to the provincial border with the Alaskan Panhandle.

The latest weather warnings come a day after winds exceeding 120 km/h pummeled B.C.'s central coast Saturday, while places such as Bella Bella and the Howe Sound north of Metro Vancouver reported gusts exceeding 90 km/h.

Earlier in the week, winds approaching 140 km/h were reported on Vancouver Island, while last weekend's severe windstorm led to the mudslide that closed a large section of the Sea to Sky Highway linking Vancouver and Whistler.

A home in the area was also struck by the mudslide, and police recovered the body of one of two occupants on Dec. 15 -- the day after the mudslide.

On Saturday night, Squamish RCMP confirmed that crews recovered the second occupant's body, but did not release the names of the victims.

MORE National ARTICLES

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday. But the decision from some provinces with an HST not to demand compensation for their portion of lost revenue lessens the cost on Ottawa significantly. 

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation

Avian flu at another farm

Avian flu at another farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says avian flu has been detected at another commercial poultry farm in Abbotsford.  The agency says there are now 66 locations in B-C where the virus has been found.

Avian flu at another farm

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford
Police in Abbotsford say a shooting suspect is on the loose after officers were called to a Harris Road property early yesterday morning.  Police say the owner encountered an unknown man on his property and the suspect fired shots before running away after an unspecified interaction with the property owner. 

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Body found in Burred Inlet

Body found in Burred Inlet
Police in Port Moody say they're investigating the discovery of a dead body floating in Burrard Inlet over the weekend. Police say the body was reported on Saturday at a boat launch at Rocky Point Park. 

Body found in Burred Inlet

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot
Police in Edmonton are investigating the death of an infant discovered in a shopping centre parking lot.  They say officers were called Saturday afternoon to the shopping complex in the city's south end and found the body. 

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week. Statistics Canada's latest job report tilted expectations in favour of a larger cut. 

BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut