Close X
Monday, January 6, 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

Minister defends decision to accept Taylor Swift tickets from B.C. Crown corporation

Minister defends decision to accept Taylor Swift tickets from B.C. Crown corporation
Liberal Minister Harjit Sajjan is defending his decision to accept an invitation from a B.C. Crown corporation to attend a Taylor Swift concert. A spokeswoman for Sajjan says the minister only accepted the tickets after receiving clearance from the ethics commissioner.

Minister defends decision to accept Taylor Swift tickets from B.C. Crown corporation

Vancouver police say they shot suspect who stabbed a 'number' of people

Vancouver police say they shot suspect who stabbed a 'number' of people
Police in Vancouver say they have shot a suspect who stabbed "a number of people."  They say the violent incident happened in the downtown core, near the city's main library. 

Vancouver police say they shot suspect who stabbed a 'number' of people

Trudeau says Poilievre "not able" to unite to defend Canada against Trump threats

Trudeau says Poilievre
Trudeau said there's a long-standing tradition that when the nation comes under threat in some way, Canadians pull together to defend their country.  But it's "increasingly clear" Poilievre is unable to do that.

Trudeau says Poilievre "not able" to unite to defend Canada against Trump threats

Early-rising Taylor Swift fans wait for hours in Vancouver for concert gear

Early-rising Taylor Swift fans wait for hours in Vancouver for concert gear
Taylor Swift fans were up before the sun in Vancouver to snag some coveted shirts, bags and sweaters to mark her record-breaking Eras Tour. A line of hundreds of fans snaked around Vancouver's downtown pier waiting for the first major in-person sale of official Swift merchandise ahead of three concerts in the city this week.

Early-rising Taylor Swift fans wait for hours in Vancouver for concert gear

Taiwan firm halts plan for $1B battery plant in B.C. that had federal support

Taiwan firm halts plan for $1B battery plant in B.C. that had federal support
A $1-billion lithium-ion battery cell production plant that was planned for Maple Ridge, B.C., has been shelved.  The parent company, Taiwan Cement Corp., announced construction of the Canadian plant with much fanfare last year, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier David Eby attending and promising a combined $284.5 million in government funding. 

Taiwan firm halts plan for $1B battery plant in B.C. that had federal support

Contracts announced for Alaska Highway

Contracts announced for Alaska Highway
The federal government has awarded two contracts totalling more than 103-million dollars for maintenance work on he Alaska Highway in northern B-C. Public Services and Procurement Canada says the contracts cover work on two sections of the highway, from kilometres 133 to 968.

Contracts announced for Alaska Highway