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Hwy 3 remains open, govt. offers mental health supports

'We're in this together to help': Farnworth

  • Hwy 3 remains open but Hwy 1 still shut
  • Hwy 1 damming is holding
  • Govt. offering help to those who are anxious or overwhelmed

Amid the third atmospheric river of the week dumping heavy rain on southwest B.C., Highway 3 remains open ‘and is safe’, in allowing vital supplies to get from the Lower Mainland to the Interior.

Meanwhile, the government is highlighting mental health supports available for those struggling with the impacts of the extreme weather.

Dams holding

Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack remains closed because of the risk of flooding, although Transport Minister Rob Fleming said the extraordinary efforts of many people Sunday into Monday means that highway will be ready sooner than later.

“The dam systems are working, keeping water and previously flooded areas protected,” Fleming said at a Wednesday media briefing. However, he could not say when it may re-open.

“We’ve got to get through today and tomorrow.”

Fleming said the ‘all-hands-on-deck’ multi-agency efforts to construct tiger dams and other defences along Highway 1 had so far proved successful.

“That means Highway 1 will be useable that much more quickly because those steps were taken,” he said.

Many truckers have been taking an alternative route into the Interior since permitting exemptions were eased for essential goods by United States authorities. Fleming said about 1,200 commercial vehicles had made that trip, supplementing the supply chain that was happening on Highway 3 and Highway 7.

However, the vulnerability of the highway system was highlighted by more issues Wednesday, when a mudslide and early morning separate accident on Highway 7 forced its closure. It was later re-opened.

Snowmelt

While the bulk of the latest heavy rain has been washing over Vancouver Island, the coast and Fraser Valley, the Interior is not immune, with rain mixing with snow melt because of much higher temperatures than normal.

“The heat is not just at the valley bottom, it’s going up to mountain top heights,” Armel Castellan with Environment and Climate Change Canada said, noting any snow since November is not very thick.

“When the snowpack is thinner… an event like this can make a lot of snow melt,” he said.

Mental health supports

While tackling the flooding and ensuring everyone’s immediate safety, the government also highlighted the resources that are available for people who may feel overwhelmed by this latest weather crisis. It follows the summer wildfires and heat, and comes amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“These events can create uncertainty and anxiety for many,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said. “If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed or have been directly impacted by the ongoing extreme rains and flooding, please note you’re not alone and we’re in this together to help.”

The central website: gov.bc.ca/floodresponse has a full list of virtual mental health supports. This includes fee and low-cost counseling.

Published 2021-12-01 by Glenn Hicks

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