The community of Dawson Creek, in northeastern B.C., has declared a state of emergency after heavy rainfall triggered flooding that washed out several bridges and roads in the city.
Mayor Dale Bumstead declared the state of emergency on Friday, with the city still struggling to recover from flooding caused by approximately 100 millimetres of rainfall over the course of two days.
"After we assessed the damage that had happened during the storm and flooding, we felt moving into a local state of emergency was the next step," Bumstead said in a statement released by the city on Friday. He said the state of emergency was "the next step" to assure the safety of Dawson Creek's residents.
Dozens of homes were evacuated ahead of the water and sewage leaks caused by the rain. Most residents have been put up at hotels in the area, but some are being allowed to return home to survey the water damage.
Several residents of the city told Dawson Creek Mirror reporter Mike Carter that floods hit the area every few years. However, they usually aren't as intense as the one caused by the deluge this week. "This is clearly the worst they've ever seen it," Carter told CTV News Channel.
Carter said the waters have subsided enough for the city to re-open the main north-south route through Dawson Creek, but other areas are still underwater. One bridge has also been completely washed out, Carter said.
Power had been restored to most residents in the city by Friday afternoon, but some outages remain in the surrounding area, Carter said. The flooding is thought to have toppled six or seven powerlines.
