Flooding in B.C; Military Deployed

After a powerful storm dumped a month’s worth of rain in two days across a swath of the Pacific north-west in Canada and the United States, troops have been deployed in British Columbia to assist stranded residents and search areas affected by landslides and floods.

The Canadian government approved a request for federal assistance from the beleaguered province on Wednesday, according to Bill Blair, minister of emergency preparedness.

Military personnel will assist with evacuation efforts, supply chain support, and flood and landslide protection for residents.
Some members of the armed forces were already on the ground, and more troops were expected to arrive soon, according to Defence Minister Anita Anand.

It comes after British Columbia’s premier issued a state of emergency, warning that the death toll is expected to rise.

“The last few days have been incredibly difficult for British Columbians,” said John Horgan. “Heavy rains, strong winds, flooding has devastated entire communities of our province.”

“While Environment Canada called this a 1-in-100 year event, we know the increased likelihood of intense storms is due to the climate crisis,” Horgan added.

See also Covid-19;Tension Grows in Canada as Delta Variant Surges.

In Abbotsford, emergency crews using helicopters and boats rescued 184 people as the mayor warned of “catastrophic” flooding if the city’s pump station failed.In an emergency news conference, Henry Braun told residents, “Nothing is worth your life.” “I implore anyone listening to please obey the evacuation order and leave.” It’s possible that tomorrow morning will be too late.”Much of the area was once part of Sumas Lake, a massive body of water that was drained in the last century.City officials were concerned that the pumps, which divert water from the basin at a rate of half a million gallons per minute, were about to fail, causing even more water to inundate parts of the city.