Close X
Saturday, January 4, 2025
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

Poilievre calls on House to back Singh's 'wise' words in no-confidence motion

Poilievre calls on House to back Singh's 'wise' words in no-confidence motion
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he agrees with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on one thing: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are too weak to fight for Canadians. Poilievre kicked off debate in the House of Commons Thursday on a cheekily worded Conservative motion designed to use Singh’s own words against him.

Poilievre calls on House to back Singh's 'wise' words in no-confidence motion

B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans

B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans
Eby says the premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about using their political diversity and connections to approach politicians and business leaders in the United States, as talks over Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico ramp up.

B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans

Vancouver changes tune under Swift spell, with Gastown clock to chime 'Shake it Off'

Vancouver changes tune under Swift spell, with Gastown clock to chime 'Shake it Off'
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is changing many things in Vancouver, from the tune of Gastown's iconic clock to traffic patterns as thousands of fans pour into the city ahead of Friday's first show. 

Vancouver changes tune under Swift spell, with Gastown clock to chime 'Shake it Off'

Overseas hikers rescued in B.C. relied on online app: rescue group

Overseas hikers rescued in B.C. relied on online app: rescue group
The search and rescue organization for Metro Vancouver's North Shore mountains says its teams recently rescued two international visitors who became stranded after relying on online hiking apps without doing further research. A statement on social media by North Shore Rescue says the first call last Thursday came when a visitor "seriously underestimated the difficulty" of an unofficial trail marked in an online app.

Overseas hikers rescued in B.C. relied on online app: rescue group

Five Eyes security agencies send up flare for help on preventing youth radicalization

Five Eyes security agencies send up flare for help on preventing youth radicalization
Security agencies from Canada and other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance are calling for a "whole-of-society response" to deal with the radicalization of young people lured into violent extremism. A new report from the alliance, which also includes Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizes the importance of looking for signs of radicalization.

Five Eyes security agencies send up flare for help on preventing youth radicalization

B.C. launches review of 911 services after complaints about costs, transparency

B.C. launches review of 911 services after complaints about costs, transparency
British Columbia is launching a review of the province's 911 emergency service after complaints about escalating costs and lack of transparency. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg says in a statement the review is to "ensure these services remain effective and sustainable for years to come" and to understand the cost increases.

B.C. launches review of 911 services after complaints about costs, transparency