British Columbia declares state of emergency

“While the province can take all the necessary steps to respond to emergencies, the next steps may require extraordinary measures,” said Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.

He appeals to the population to limit their travel to necessary journeys. Our road infrastructure is rough and we need to make sure we get it back as soon as possible.

The government does not rule out the possibility of banning unnecessary travel, as the province did during the epidemic.

⁇ It was a catastrophic event. ⁇

Army as forces

In response to the floods, Ottawa deployed Canadian Armed Forces to southern British Columbia.

We have approved the deployment of Canadian Forces Air Support personnel to assist in evacuation operations, support supply routes and to protect residents from flooding and landslides.Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair wrote in a tweet.

I spoke with Justin Trudeau, who proposed that he work to mobilize resources and rebuild communities when needed, Said John Horgan.

Nearly a thousand refugees in Hope

About 20 shelter centers are open in the interior of the province, especially in Hope, Kamloops and Kelowna. In Hope, more than 900 people were sheltered in high school and at a church in Hope, the minister said.

Further south in Fraser Valley, Abbotsford on Tuesday evening ordered all residents of Sumas Prairie to evacuate immediately, severely damaged by rising waters.

“We need to make sure that food, water and basic necessities are available to everyone,” said Minister Farnworth.

A farmer removes a goat from a flooded barn in Abbotsford on November 15.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelmes / CBC

Many farms were flooded and livestock and poultry were threatened.

Hundreds of farms were submerged and thousands of animals died, Announced Agriculture Minister Laura Popham. “Some more are in difficult situations,” she said, adding that euthanasia is to be expected.

“I have been in talks with farmers for the past few days … some have been washed away in their floods and you can see dead animals. It’s heartbreaking, ”she said in a loud voice.

In a rare tense moment on Tuesday, Mike Farnworth expressed his condolences to the family of a man who died in a landslide near Liluet in the interior of the province.

Unfortunately more deaths are likely to occurPrime Minister John Horgan said Wednesday.

John Horgan at a press conference on November 17, 2021.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Michael McCarthy

British Columbia champions in emergencies

This is the third time since March 2020 that a state of emergency has been declared at the regional level, first due to the COVID-19 epidemic and more recently, due to Wildfires that erupted this summer.

We live in difficult times, An Admis John Horgan. Unprecedented challenges to public health, wildfires, hot towers and now floods.

The Prime Minister urged the people not to buy products under duress. What you want, your neighbors need too.