Coquitlam Mudslide Disrupts Road and Power Amid Torrential Rains
A significant mudslide occurred along Pipeline Road in Coquitlam on Thursday, leading to road closures and widespread power outages affecting approximately 5,000 households. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. The slide, which took place in the 1900-block near the city's water treatment plant, was triggered by heavy rains from a stalled atmospheric river that has been pummeling Metro Vancouver.
Emergency Response and Restoration Efforts
Search and rescue teams, along with hydro crews from B.C. Hydro, were quickly dispatched to the scene. The mudslide, which occurred around 5:15 a.m., downed power lines and initially left thousands without electricity. B.C. Hydro has successfully restored power to about 5,000 customers, but around 20 homes remain without service due to unstable ground conditions that are preventing crews from accessing the damaged area. A geotechnical team has been sent to assess the site, and full restoration of services might not be completed until late Thursday or Friday morning.
Impact on Local Infrastructure and Residents
The City of Coquitlam has closed access to Pipeline Road at Galette Avenue, approximately 10 kilometres south of the slide location. The area is primarily industrial, featuring concrete structures and extraction pits, but there are rural homes nearby. It is currently unclear whether any homes have been directly affected by the mudslide. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the heavy rainfall continues.
Weather Conditions and Warnings
Environment Canada reported that Coquitlam has received about 84 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours, with a total accumulation of 199.2 millimetres since the storm began on Monday. Coquitlam, along with Pitt Meadows and the North Shore, is under a rainfall warning, with the heaviest precipitation expected from Thursday night into Friday morning. Forecasts indicate that Coquitlam could receive close to another 100 millimetres of rain before the storm tapers off on Friday.
The ongoing atmospheric river event has heightened concerns about further landslides and flooding in the region. Residents are advised to stay informed through local updates and exercise caution in affected areas.
