Severe Mudslides & Flooding Led to Evacuations for British Columbia, Canada, & Washington
A massive wind and rain storm that began Nov. 12 is causing flooding and mudslides in the Pacific Northwest near the Canadian border.
According to NPR, this has led to the closure of an interstate highway, evacuations and power outages. Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a severe weather state of emergency on Nov. 15 for 14 counties in the western part of the state.
In the state of emergency declaration, it notes that a weather pattern that began on Oct. 27 resulted in saturated soils, which combined with the precipitation during the weather on Nov. 12, has created flooding conditions on multiple rivers and forecast rain. The severe weather emergency order directs that the plans and procedures to the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented.
Additionally, rain and snow is anticipated at mountain elevations and are expected to exacerbate flooding conditions.
Multiple areas of the state faced evacuations and more than 158,0000 customers in western Washington had no power Nov. 15, reported The Associated Press. The severe weather was caused by an atmospheric river that impacted the Pacific Northwest with rain and heavy winds for days.
Storm warnings were in effect across British Columbia on Nov. 15. According to The Weather Service, flood warnings remained in effect for several counties into Nov. 16 afternoon, but the high waters are expected to recede.
The severe storm has caused floods, landslides, mudslides, and the potential for straight-line winds is causing road closures. Resultantly, the state needed to establish alternate transportation routes, and this storm created localized reductions in available drinking water, as well as damage to homes and other infrastructure.
Hundreds of people who were trapped on British Columbia roadways by mudslides Nov. 15 have been rescued, according to officials, reported CNN.