B.C. Floods: Federal government sends over 500 troops for relief efforts

Given the scale of the flooding and water damage throughout the province, the federal government installed a number of orders to get emergency services to British Columbians.

One week removed from torrential rainfall that led to disastrous flooding in British Columbia, the federal government laid out a clearer picture of the situation unfolding on the ground and the efforts to help during a Sunday evening press conference.

“We know that the overall situation remains serious, but there have been some improvements,” said Bill Blair, minister of emergency preparedness.

The flooding has displaced thousands, including up to 41 First Nations of which nine have issued evacuation orders, according to Blair. The damage is widespread, with highways, buildings and homes impacted, resulting in a significant response from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Given the scale of the flooding and water damage throughout the province, Blair did not mince words on recovery times, insisting that there is a long path ahead and without giving a specific timeline.

“It will take some time to fully recover from this disaster. It will take a great deal of coordination, collaboration and cooperation from all of us,” he said.

At the press conference, Defence Minister Anita Anand noted that at least 12 aircraft are presently in B.C., that over 500 troops have been deployed to the province and will be there by the end of the day, and that a sandbagging machine to help mitigate potential rising waters has been dispatched.

“We will continue to do whatever it takes to support British Columbia, and all Canadians are behind you at this time,” Anand said.

The newly appointed defence minister said that the current environmental disaster unfolding in B.C. is the 12th of its kind that the CAF has dealt with since the start of the pandemic.