State of Emergency Declared in Lions Bay Following Fatal Landslide
A state of emergency has been declared in the areas of Brunswick and Magnesia Creek in Lions Bay after a disastrous landslide hit on Saturday. The debris flow caused considerable destruction, including the collapse of one residence, which tragically took one life. The declaration will continue to be in force until the municipality or the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness declares its end.
The Village of Lions Bay said a home was swept away, and one person was confirmed dead after being recovered. A search was ongoing in hopes of finding a second person missing since the disaster victims were identified as Barbara and Doug Enns, whose home was engulfed by the landslide.
In response to the severity of the situation, local authorities, including the Village of Lions Bay and Metro Vancouver, are collaborating to establish a new emergency operations center. This will allow the coordination of additional resources to assist in the search and recovery efforts. Inspector Robert Dykstra of the Sea-to-Sky RCMP emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting that the debris field is extensive, unstable, and unsafe for immediate entry.
Mayor Ken Berry of Lions Bay spoke about how this disaster has taken a personal toll on the tight-knit community. Yet, he saluted the good work of the local groups like the Lions Bay Fire and Rescue, besides Lions Bay Search and Rescue, that have continued with their relentless efforts. The teams under the guidance of Fire Chief Barret Germscheid and the head of the Search and Rescue, Ed Langford, have been in the thick of crisis management.
A windstorm on B.C.’s south coast brought a landslide onto Highway 99, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway, although it has reopened. The highway had been closed overnight but was opened early Sunday morning.
Following this disaster, the evacuation order has been rescinded for properties on Brunswick Beach Road in the area of houses numbered 52 to 61, which were previously affected. A state of emergency is still ongoing, and further efforts are being made to ensure safety and recovery in the area.
