A mudslide has closed Holberg Road outside of Holberg, with reports of several other slides having occurred.
“The slide occurred on Northeast 60 Road at approximately the 14k mark,” said Dane Cameron, the Regional District of Mount Waddingtons’s emergency program coordinator. “This is a Western Forests Products sections of road. WFP is currently undertaking an assessment to better understand the extent of the slide. Following the assessment, they will develop an action plan for debris removal.”
BC Hydro reports that 47 customers have been affected by the slide and are currently without power. The areas affected are the end of Dombie Hill Road, Victoria Road, the 200 block of Victoria Avenue, Dombi Hill Road, Sawmill, Cookhouse, Croft Street, Seymour Avenue, Radar Site Holberg, Moores Lot 72, William Moores Res, and the 0 block of Bunkhouse Way.
According to BC Hydro, the power has been off since 5:52 p.m., Oct. 23. Crews have been assigned to fix the power, but are not estimated to arrive until 4 p.m due to poor weather and/or visibility conditions that are preventing safe access to the area.
Cameron said BC Hyrdo crews can restore power after WFP has removed the debris.
“I am told there is still access from Holberg to Coal Harbour,” said Cameron. “There is also the potential to reach these communities by water, if required.”
Winter Harbour is also without power.
Cameron said both communities have access to emergency supplies and generators if required.
“Currently, I have not heard reports of injuries from the event,” said Cameron. “I can confirm that CFB Comox was deployed to rescue a stranded motorist.”
Port Hardy RCMP received an iPhone SOS from an individual reporting that he and another person were trapped after their vehicle became disabled by a flash flood while returning from San Josef Bay. A second group travelling in an RV stopped to assist but also become trapped due to rising floodwaters and debris blocking the road in both directions.
In a press release issued by the Port Hardy RCMP, they said they were unable to attend due to the mudslides and road washouts on multiple routes.
Instead, Campbell River Search and Rescue, Joint Rescue Coordination Support and the 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron *CFB Comox) were deployed and rescued the eight individuals.
No serious injuries were reported.
“This incident highlights the risks of extreme weather and access limitations in remote North Island areas. Effective coordination and timely activation of the North Island GSAR and military partners ensure a safe outcome,” said Staff Sargent Kim Rutherford, detachment commander of the Port Hardy RCMP. “Continued collaboration with inter-agency partners ongoing in order to continue to strengthen response readiness.”
The River Forecast Centre has also issued a flood watch for the North Island. A flood watch is less severe than a flood warning, but more severe than a high steamflow advisory.
“River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur,” reads the watch.
Drive BC has posted that Holdberg Road is closed in both directions and an assessment is under way. The next update is expected in five hours.
Holberg is located on the Hoberg Inlet, and is roughly home to 70 people. No on-site emergency medical facilities are located in the village. However, there is a volunteer fire and rescue department.
According to the North Island Regional Emergency Plan, the community rally site is the Community Hall. If low lying areas of the community are threatened, then a rally site must be at higher ground.
The Holberg evacuation plan is still under development.
In a Facebook post, Scarlet Ibis Restaurant and Cabins has offered its facilities to travellers to warm up, rest or regroup.
“We’re thinking of everyone affected and want to remind travellers that if you’re in the area and need a place to warm up, rest, or regroup, we’re here to help,” reads the post. “This is why we always tell visitors to come prepared for the unexpected when venturing Holberg. The wild beauty of this region is part of what makes it so special – but it also demands respect for the elements.”
This is a developing story. More to come.