UPDATE, Dec. 31 — After heavy rainfall on B.C.’s North Coast, highways have reopened but some travel advisories remain in effect. Areas in Haida Gwaii and northwest B.C. experienced sections of highway being washed out following an atmospheric river system that drenched the region earlier this week.
The Haida Nation issued a warning of extreme flooding in Haida Gwaii on Monday, leading to the closure of a portion of Highway 16 due to a significant washout. DriveBC reported the closure between Lawnhill Road and Miller Road, spanning 5.3 kilometers, with no alternate route available as of 6 a.m. PT on Tuesday. An update is anticipated at 5 p.m., as per information from DriveBC.
Efforts are underway by the Haida Nation to restore one lane of the highway by Tuesday evening. The washout has severed a critical north-south route on the archipelago, impacting access to essential services like hospitals and vital infrastructure.
In addition, other regions such as Skidegate, Daajing Giids, and backroads have also been affected by flooding, as highlighted by the Haida Nation in a statement. Temporary shelter resources are being provided at both ends of the archipelago for those in need.
Furthermore, a 42-kilometer stretch of Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace, B.C., has also been washed out. This section, known as the Yellowhead Highway, between Shames Mountain Road and the Exstew Avalanche Gate, has no detour option available.
The North Coast experienced heavy rainfall, with Green Island Lighthouse off the coast receiving 180 millimeters of rain, while Haida Gwaii recorded 148 millimeters at one station. Although the rainfall warning has been lifted for Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert, it remains in effect for inland areas of the North Coast, including Kitimat.
Environment Canada reported that an atmospheric river system from the Pacific has stalled over the North Coast, resulting in continuous rain for Kitimat and surrounding regions. The weather agency stated that approximately 90 mm of rain has fallen since Saturday afternoon, with an additional 20 to 30 mm expected before transitioning to light rain on Tuesday night.
The Haida Gwaii highway washout coincides with the latest series of emergency room closures at the Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital in Masset. The emergency room will be on diversion during afternoon and evening hours until Jan. 4, redirecting patients needing urgent care to the Haida Gwaii Hospital in Daajing Giids.
A flood watch issued by the B.C. River Forecast Centre for Haida Gwaii and the North Coast since Dec. 27 warns of rivers potentially reaching or exceeding bank levels due to heavy rain. The advisory mentions the likelihood of localized high flows, road washouts, and increased landslide risks in outer coastal areas near Prince Rupert and on Haida Gwaii.
The South Klondike Highway and Haines Road, the primary routes connecting the Alaskan Panhandle and Yukon through B.C., are expected to receive up to 20 centimeters of snow through Tuesday night. Similarly, the Cassiar Mountains area along the B.C.-Yukon border may witness up to 20 centimeters of snow, with heavy snowfall expected to diminish by Tuesday morning.