Family with baby rescued by helicopter, hundreds of properties stranded by B.C. floods
"It's causing a lot of problems for a lot of people. This time everything washed out."
A baby, mother and grandmother were rescued by helicopter Thursday after major flooding and road wash-outs left them stranded in their car on Hwy 97 near Chetwynd in northeastern B.C.
Officials say the helicopter was in the area delivering fuel and generators to some of the 213 rural properties that have been completely cut off by washed-out roads. The family had been taken in by locals.
The Ministry of Transportation say another 205 rural properties have been "severely affected" by flooding.
Meanwhile a state of emergency has been declared in Dawson Creek, B.C. where flooding has left behind significant damage to city infrastructure, roads and homes.
Mayor Dale Bumstead told CBC News the declaration will give the city more powers to ensure damage assessment and repairs can be done as quickly as possible.
"This is a big-time event, how it's affected the highways and streets and roads," said Bumstead. "Our hospitals and fire halls are separated, we've only got one link and some of the roads and streets and transit infrastructure have been severely damaged."
At least one bridge was completely destroyed by raging flood waters, and many roads have collapsed. 60 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
Schools in Dawson Creek remain closed for a second day.
Highway 97 near Chetwynd, which links the Peace region to the rest of B.C., remains closed with multiple locations completely washed-out or severely damaged, especially in the area of Pine Pass.
The Ministry of Transportation says it will take weeks to fully rebuild and reopen the road. The best alternate route for drivers involves a ten-hour detour through Alberta.
Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Coldwells said the 89.8 mm of rain that fell in Dawson Creek during the daytime June 15 is an all-time high according to records going back to 1926.
Dawson Creek resident Wade Nobbs told CBC News the flood was the worst he's seen in his 30 years of living there.
"It's causing a lot of problems for a lot of people," he said. "This time everything washed out."
There is cause for optimism however. According to Bumstead flood waters in the city are down five metres from yesterday's peak and the forecast is calling for sunny weather.
With files from Betsy Trumpener