The province has ordered people living near the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers to evacuate, the morning after many of them received a similar order from the Cariboo Regional District.
The landslide happened July 31, damming the Chilcotin and causing water to back up. By Monday, it was clear the water was going to spill over the top of the slide's debris.
The Cariboo evacuation came on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 4 and the province issued its at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5.
"Water has begun to overflow the landslide blocking the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon," the provincial government reported in an update Monday. "A B.C. Emergency alert has been issued to cellphones, radio and television to advise people in the area on or along the riverbanks of the Chilcotin River from Hanceville to the Fraser River, and the Fraser River from the Chilcotin River to the Gang Ranch Road bridge to evacuate immediately due to flooding and debris flow. People unable to evacuate themselves should call 911."
People were also told to stay off the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers and away from riverbanks due to the risk of fast-moving water and debris. "Even if the water elevation in an area may be similar to freshet (spring flooding) levels, the water will react differently, with greater momentum and force, than a gradual increase in water levels," states the advisory.
Teams are on site assessing the movement of the landslide with updates to come.
Additional B.C. Emergency alerts will be issued to people downstream on and along the Fraser River as peak flows progress.
People must follow the instructions noted in the alert.
Real-time water-level monitoring information is publicly available through the Water Survey of Canada: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/
People in communities along the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers should stay up to date with their local government or First Nation regarding evacuation alerts, orders and routes to safety. This information is also here: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
- For information about road conditions, visit: https://drivebc.ca/
- For imagery, data and other information about the Chilcotin River landslide, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/landslide
The provincial order comes after one issued by the Cariboo Regional District Sunday night.
“Due to immediate danger to life safety due to flooding caused by landslide, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action,” states Sunday's evacuation order. “You must leave the area immediately. Persons who disregard this evacuation order and remain in the evacuation order area(s) do so at their own risk. Responders may be unable to assist anyone who remains.”
Three orders were issued.
The first order applies to a 350-hectare area immediately north of the junction of the Chilcotin River with the Fraser River.
A second order applies to eight parcels in a 962-hectare area immediately south of the Chilcotin River’s confluence with the Fraser River.
The third is for the Churn Creek Bridge area, 157 hectares, including the previous evacuation alert area and a new area to the north of the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers.
Anyone in the order area must leave. People are being told to stay away from the Fraser River and adjacent riverbanks, as flooding and debris are expected from the Chilcotin River landslide.
Emergency Service Centre (ESS) is available. If you have been evacuated from your primary residence, call 1-250-267-4861 to access Emergency Support Services.
What do do:
- You must leave the area immediately.
- Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help.
- Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available.
- Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
- Close all windows and doors.
- Do not shut off your natural gas.
- Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
- Do not use more vehicles to evacuate than you have to.
- Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.
- Register with Emergency Support Services (ESS) listed above or online at ess.gov.bc.ca.
The sudden landslide blocked a section of the Chilcotin near Farwell Canyon. No injuries related to the slide have been reported.
The crisis comes as crews continue to battle wildfires across the province.
