A mudslide in Coquitlam, British Columbia, resulted in a significant power outage affecting approximately 5,000 residents on Thursday morning. The event occurred around 5:45 a.m. PT in the 1900 block of Pipeline Road, which is located north of Upper Coquitlam River Park.
Emergency Response and Impact
The local emergency response team, including Coquitlam Fire and Rescue and RCMP, swiftly secured the affected area. They were joined by a geotechnical engineer, Coquitlam Search and Rescue, and city maintenance staff. Four homes and two industrial sites were impacted, although no injuries were reported.
Power Restoration Efforts
- B.C. Hydro confirmed that power lines were downed due to the slide.
- By 10:30 a.m. PT, power had been restored to all but 20 customers.
- B.C. Hydro indicated that unstable ground hampered access to affected areas for repair work.
The utility company communicated via social media, stating, “We’re working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” while noting that full restoration might not be realized until later in the day.
Weather Conditions and Flood Warnings
Heavy rainfall was expected to peak Thursday night into Friday, according to Environment Canada. The agency issued warnings for potential flooding in vulnerable areas, as many regions in Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas were anticipated to receive considerable rain accumulation.
- Metro Vancouver may experience up to 130 mm of rain.
- The Sea-to-Sky region could see approximately 75 mm.
- Western Vancouver Island and parts of the Fraser Valley are expected to receive up to 120 mm of rain.
This prolonged atmospheric river event raised concerns about landslides in precarious locations, particularly those with a history of instability.
Public Safety Measures
Authorities urged the public to stay clear of the mudslide area until further notice, as crews worked on rescues and assessments. Coquitlam Search and Rescue successfully evacuated eight individuals, along with two dogs and a cat, from the vicinity of the slide.
Additionally, transit service disruptions took place, with the West Coast Express temporarily suspended due to track issues near Port Haney Station. Commuters were advised to take the SkyTrain from Coquitlam Central Station, along with a bus service bridge covering the rail route to the Fraser Valley.
Evacuation Orders Issued
An evacuation order was also issued for a part of Ocean Falls on B.C.’s Central Coast due to increasing landslide risks from the rainfall. Residents were instructed to evacuate immediately as flooding and landslide threats heightened. Nearby Martin Valley also faced an existing evacuation order and alert.
Community members in Ocean Falls rallied to provide support and assistance amid the emergency. The area, primarily accessed by boat or air, is home to approximately 50 residents, many of whom are seniors.
As the heavy rainfall system continues to impact the region, local agencies are working diligently to ensure public safety and restore normalcy for affected communities.
