Premier of Canada's British Columbia Declares State of Emergency Over Floods, Landslides

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Premier of Canada's British Columbia John Horgan has declared a state of emergency in the region over the devastating floods and landslides.

On Wednesday, media reported that at least one person died and two more went missing as a result of the disaster. Highways and railways to the port city of Vancouver have been cut off the rest of the country.

"The BC government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the province-wide response and recovery from the widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in British Columbia," the regional government said in a statement on late Wednesday.

B.C. has declared a state of emergency following unprecedented flooding. Officials are asking residents to avoid leisure travel in the province due to crippled roads and not to hoard items during the recovery efforts. #bcstorm #bcfloods

More: https://t.co/hjnRNw7fUC pic.twitter.com/F6P899Pgwh

— CBC British Columbia (@cbcnewsbc) November 18, 2021

The state of emergency is in effect for 14 days and may be further prolonged.

“Provincial, federal and local governments are working with emergency personnel to make sure people and communities get the help they need as they work through yet another natural disaster. This provincial declaration of emergency will ensure the transport of goods, and essential and emergency services," Horgan said, as quoted by the statement.

Numerous videos and photos of the catastrophic consequences of bad weather for the region were being shared on social media and on local TV channels.

These photos are three months apart pic.twitter.com/qr5JAt0eIH

— Cole Schisler (@SchislerCole) November 15, 2021

Maybe you’ve heard of the catastrophic flooding in my home province of British Columbia? You need look no further than the farmers rescuing cattle for demonstrations of leadership & grit.

Video courtesy @jwints pic.twitter.com/PKbYEikt8a

— Dan Pontefract (@dpontefract) November 17, 2021

Just four months between these pictures:

July: Scorched earth and a village razed to the ground after a period of record-breaking heat and wildfires

November: Whole communities devastated by flooding and landslides

It has been a tough year for British Columbia pic.twitter.com/GnnzVOyuT2

— Ashleigh Stewart (@Ash_Stewart_) November 17, 2021

ALERT 🚨 Residents of Merritt, British Columbia ordered to evacuate due to heavy flooding. Wastewater treatment plant in the city has failed and people have already been told not to drink tap water. More rain is expected.

pic.twitter.com/dkaKQWbcGU

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 15, 2021

"TOTALLY GONE": Part of a highway was washed away after heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding in southern British Columbia on Monday. pic.twitter.com/WybuA76Kjt

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 16, 2021

The authorities added that 17,775 people had already been evacuated over the disaster.