Ebbing floodwater reveals damage in Dawson Creek

CTV News Channel: Flooding in Northeastern B.C. Dawson Creek Mirror reporter, Mike Carter reports from areas of flooding saying north to south connections within the city has been restored

The extent of the flood damage is becoming clear as waters recede in Dawson Creek, following record-setting rains in B.C.’s northeast.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation says a number of roads and bridges have been washed out and it could take weeks to repair them all.

Drivers headed to the southern part of the province from the Peace region are being advised to take a several hundred kilometer detour through Grand Prairie, Alta.

An estimated 200 properties have been cut off due to flooding and the province has been using a helicopter to survey them.

Thursday, one of those helicopters picked up two adults and an 11-week-old baby that had been stranded by the flood waters on Highway 97.

The City of Dawson Creek has declared a state of local emergency and the province will make Disaster Financial Assistance available.

Residents and businesses unable to cover damage through insurance will be able to apply for up to $300,000.

Despite the extensive damage in and around the city, Dawson Creek’s mayor says the community got lucky.

"To look at the damage, you think how much worse it could have been… so we're very lucky I think, in terms of looking at what we have today,” said Dale Bumstead.

According to Environment Canada, 89.8 millimeters of rain fell on Dawson Creek on June 15, the most since record-keeping began in 1926.