B.C.’s Sea to Sky Highway reopens after landslide that knocked 1 home off foundation
The Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) has officially reopened between Lions Bay and Brunswick Beach, B.C., following a devastating landslide that occurred on Saturday. The landslide, which officials say swept one home off its foundations, prompted the closure of the highway connecting Vancouver to Whistler.
DriveBC reported that the road reopened in both directions around 5 a.m. PT on Sunday, much earlier than the estimated reopening time of 9 a.m. PT. Emergency officials revealed that the slide originated in an area above two residential streets, resulting in one home being knocked off its footings. Search-and-rescue crews were deployed to the scene to assess if anyone was inside the displaced home, utilizing drones and search dogs in their efforts.
The landslide occurred in the aftermath of a windstorm that caused widespread power outages across B.C.’s South Coast. The Mayor of Lions Bay, Ken Berry, described the damage caused by the landslide, noting that it had knocked down power lines and crossed over train tracks in the village of around 1,400 residents.
In an update provided on Sunday morning, RCMP stated that emergency crews were still present in the area to investigate potential injuries caused by the slide. Drivers were advised to monitor DriveBC for further updates on the situation. Mayor Berry mentioned that two individuals may have been inside the displaced home and efforts were underway to rescue other residents who were stranded.
Barret Germscheid, Lions Bay’s fire chief, recounted the moment when firefighters heard a loud noise while in the Brunswick Beach area, which turned out to be the landslide occurring down Magnesia Creek. He confirmed that the house had been swept lower down the hillside, but the status of any occupants remained uncertain as of Saturday evening.
Canada Task Force One, the heavy urban search and rescue team based in Vancouver, was set to conduct searches at the site on Sunday. The Environment Canada had issued warnings about strong winds in the Metro Vancouver area, with gusts reaching up to 100 km/h due to a low-pressure system moving in.
Tragically, a woman in Surrey, B.C., lost her life during the storm after being struck by a falling tree. The community is coming together to support those affected by the landslide and the storm, emphasizing the importance of safety and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
