The Sea to Sky Highway has reopened earlier than anticipated, following a landslide in the Lions Bay area on Saturday morning. According to the provincial government, the highway reopened at 5 am Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, it was originally stated the highway would reopen at midnight. But later updates indicated the highway would remain closed for at least 24 hours through Sunday evening. That is no longer the case, as the highway is now open in both directions, restoring the important connection between Metro Vancouver and Squamish, Whistler, and other communities along the corridor.
Crews worked overnight to clear the mud, rocks, and tree debris strewn across the highway near the Brunswick Road exit ramp. Fortunately, no injuries related to highway traffic were reported during this incident. Nonetheless, according to Squamish RCMP, one home is believed to have been affected by the landslide, with the occupants of the home currently unaccounted for. Emergency crews, the RCMP, and Canadian Task Force 1’s Heavy Duty Search and Rescue team are on site, working diligently to address the aftermath of the landslide.
The landslide occurred amid heavy rainfall and high winds experienced throughout the region. Local authorities reported not only the landslide but also localized flooding, fallen trees, BC Ferries cancellations, and widespread power outages across the South Coast. The storm was significant enough for Environment Canada to issue warnings, with Saturday's wind gusts ranging from 70 kilometers per hour to as much as 100 kilometers per hour. Such conditions led to numerous incidents, including the tragic death of a woman who was struck by a falling tree, as reported by police in Surrey, B.C.
Social media was abuzz with real-time updates from those monitoring the situation. Individuals like Rob MacKay-Dunn and Brett Landry shared their observations and images of the scenes on platforms like Twitter, notifying others to steer clear of the disrupted areas: "I hope you weren’t planning to go to/from Whistler today," shared Landry, who echoed the situation many were facing. Others were concerned as they shared images of the destruction from the landslide and urged caution as emergency services assessed the damage.
Authorities took quick action to close Highway 99, issuing alerts to avoid the area as crews worked on the scene. "Crews are on site and assessment is progressing. Please avoid the area," noted Lower Mainland Dist. early on Saturday. Following reports of falling debris and the hazardous conditions, travelers were advised to check updates from DriveBC for the latest traffic and road conditions.
By early Sunday morning, as crews continued to restore normalcy, the effective collaboration among emergency services was evident. BC Hydro reported significant progress on power restoration, stating, "The storm also left more than 300,000 without power, though BC Hydro said all but a few thousand had power back by Sunday morning." This line of communication ensured residents were informed and assured as they awaited the restoration of services following the harsh conditions.
While the prolonged closure of the Sea to Sky Highway raised concerns about travel and commute times for residents and tourists alike, the prompt reopening demonstrated the efficiency and dedication of emergency services. While the road is now open, authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and potential risks following heavy rains and wind challenges.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are under way for the occupants of the affected home, where they are currently not accounted for. Emergency teams are hopeful for positive outcomes and are continuing their efforts to locate anyone possibly trapped or injured following the landslide. Mirroring the passion and responsibility of the responders, this situation has reunited communities, reminding residents of their resilience and teamwork amid challenging circumstances.
With the highway now reopened and conditions improving, travelers can once again utilize the corridor connecting Vancouver to Whistler and beyond. Yet, as the storm's aftermath continues to remind individuals of nature's unpredictability, local officials urge everyone to remain cautious as they travel. The situation remains fluid with authorities reitering the necessity of preparedness and awareness as they assess road conditions and the lasting impact of the severe weather systems experienced.
