Long lines of vehicles were seen snaking out of gas stations on Friday evening after British Columbia officials announced fuel restrictions for non-essential travellers in areas of the province affected by heavy rains and damaging floods.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said residents who are not essential workers are limited to buying 30 litres of fuel each time they visit a gas station, as the government looks to truck or barge gas in from as far away as California.
Farnworth said he’s relying on the good judgment of residents to ensure the province doesn’t run out of fuel.
But drivers flocked to gas stations on Friday following the announcement, with some saying the restrictions are an inconvenience and others expressing understanding that the limits are necessary.
The rationing applies to B.C.’s Lower Mainland, the Sea-to-Sky region, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
- B.C. officials announce limits on gas purchases for non-essential vehicles, travel restrictions
It comes after supply lines, including major highways and rail, were washed out or flooded by record rainfall that started last weekend.
Farnworth said police will not be enforcing the provincial order, noting that the government is relying on residents to “do the right thing” until the order lifts on Dec. 1.
Travel has also been restricted along Highways 3, 7 and 99 to ensure only essential traffic can get through.
- Areas hit hard by flooding also dealing with regional COVID-19 restrictions
Some highways that shut down due to the catastrophic flooding have since partially reopened:
- Highway 3, a key link from Metro Vancouver to the province’s Interior, was reopened to single-lane alternating traffic on Friday.
- A part of Highway 1 on Vancouver Island, known as the Malahat, was also open in both lanes ahead of time on Friday evening.
Larger repairs on Highway 1 and Highway 5 (the Coquihalla) are expected to take months due to significant washouts.
Air force delivering additional aircraft to Abbotsford
In Abbotsford, the Royal Canadian Air Force says it’s slated to deliver additional aircraft aimed at supporting the province’s flood mitigation efforts on Saturday afternoon.
The CC-177 Globemaster will drop off three CH-146 Griffon helicopters from a military base in Quebec to Abbotsford’s airport.
- Rescuers lift hundreds of motorists trapped on B.C. highway to safety
This comes after hundreds of people were trapped overnight in their cars earlier this week following mudslides that cut off major highways in the southern half of the province.
Those stranded were rescued by military helicopters on Monday, as flying remains a key method to reach those who are scattered throughout the flood-affected areas.
Evacuation alerts for parts of Okanagan-Similkameen
Meanwhile, evacuation alerts have been issued for the areas of Eastgate, San Ang and Manning Park due to the continued impact from the devastating flooding.
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) said in a statement on Saturday there is potential danger to life, health and property damage and that residents are advised to be prepared for an evacuation order.
“The RDOS understands some residents may choose to remain in their home,” the district said in a statement.
“Residents should understand the risk of staying. Emergency response crews may be limited or unavailable due to road access issues or other issues related to the flooding such as downed power lines or washed out driveways.”
The district is advising residents to avoid working in or around flooded areas, stay away from potentially fast-moving water and leave the affected area if they’re unable to care for themselves during the flooding.
Wells in flooded areas may be contaminated, province says
The RDOS also warns that water wells may have been contaminated as a result of the flooding, and it advises residents and visitors to drink only bottled water.
B.C.’s ministry of health is advising residents that use drinking-water wells in flooded areas to assess their water for risk of contamination.
“If people get their water from a permitted community drinking-water supply system, the water supplier will provide information on the safety of the water,” the statement said.
“For those who own or are responsible for a private drinking-water well that has been affected by flooding, they need to assess their well and take action to protect the people who use water from the well.”
The province says residents should check in with their region’s health authority for information on how to properly treat wells and water before consuming.
Snowfall warning issued for Prince George
While more rain is in the forecast for the Lower Mainland, a snowfall warning has been issued for Prince George — adding to already trecherous conditions on the road.
Environment Canada said 10 to 20 centimetres of snow is expected to fall by Sunday morning in Mackenzie, McLeod Lake, communities along and north of Highway 16 from Hazelton to Prince George, including Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and Fort Fraser, Fort St. James and Granisle.
“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” the weather agency said on Saturday.