One confirmed dead in B.C. mudslide, cities continue to assess damage

One person has been confirmed dead while others are reported missing after a mudslide on a British Columbia highway, officials say. B.C. RCMP said in a statement Tuesday a woman’s body was recovered from the scene of the slide on Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet.At least two people have been reported missing, and other occupied vehicles may have been caught up in the slide, which was located about nine kilometres north of Pemberton, according to the RCMP. he highway is still closed between Lil’wat Place and Seton Lake Road. Initial reports suggested about 50 vehicles were trapped, some of which may have been carried away.

‘AVOID ALL TRAVEL TO ABBOTSFORD’ Meanwhile, B.C.’s transportation ministry is advising residents to “avoid travel to Abbotsford and the surrounding areas” due to the city being under a state of emergency and extensive flooding causing damage to roadways in the Fraser Valley. “Emergency crews [are] dealing with extensive flooding and any additional traffic volume will hamper their efforts,” the ministry stated through its DriveBC Twitter account. “Highways are closed until further notice.” Abbotsford issued a local state of emergency Monday due to “several localized emergencies” because of the flooding. The city’s mayor said the alert will stay in place for seven days, unless it’s called off earlier. Schools in Abbotsford were also closed Tuesday.In addition, certain parts of the Straiton and Sumas Prairie areas were ordered to evacuate on Monday and Tuesday.