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Flooding Chronology

Friday, Oct. 17 • Shortly after 1 p.m. B.C. Hydro advised that the Daisy Lake Dam is on Yellow Alert. The advisory is to tell residents downstream to expect flooding. Hydro continued to open the spill gates at the dam.

Friday, Oct. 17

• Shortly after 1 p.m. B.C. Hydro advised that the Daisy Lake Dam is on Yellow Alert. The advisory is to tell residents downstream to expect flooding. Hydro continued to open the spill gates at the dam. No evacuations are ordered but RCMP advise residents living close to the Cheakamus River to be prepared to evacuate.

• At 6 p.m. B.C. Hydro advised it had reached a Red Alert stage. The Daisy Lake Reservoir was full and approaching free spill condition. Widespread flooding downstream is a certainty. Time for flood waters to reach the uppermost residences was approximately one hour. Residents living near the Cheakamus River are advised to evacuate.

Saturday, Oct. 18

• The Rutherford bridge, on Highway 99 15 km south of Pemberton, is washed out early in the morning. RCMP report two vehicles were swept away and it’s believed four people are missing. After assessing the situation throughout the day Search and Rescue and RCMP officials conclude a search of the river and surrounding area is too dangerous. The BC Rail bridge at Rutherford is also washed out.

• At approximately 9 a.m. Highway 99 is closed 30 km north of Squamish at Cheakamus Canyon due to washout and erosion.

• The Squamish Valley Road is closed due to flooding.

• Helicopter evacuations of people remaining in the Cheakamus River Valley begins.

• The Duffey Lake Road is closed due to flooding.

• A State of Local Emergency is declared in Squamish and Pemberton.

Sunday, Oct. 19

• Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish was opened at approximately 7 p.m. when a single lane was re-established at the Cheakamus Canyon. Traffic was escorted through the single lane area.

• 327 Evacuees are registered in Squamish.

Monday, Oct. 20

• Emergency supplies were flown into Pemberton and distributed to Pemberton and Mount Currie.

• Food and medical supplies are flown to First Nations communities in Skatin, Port Douglas and Baptiste Smith.

• Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish is closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for repairs at the Cheakamus Canyon.

• The Squamish evacuation centre has processed 351 evacuees.

Tuesday, Oct. 21

• Trucks with food and supplies arrived in Pemberton via the Duffey Lake Road. Duffey Lake Road is opened to Lillooet with single-lane sections.

• Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish is closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for repairs at the Cheakamus Canyon.

• The Pemberton emergency centre has registered 255 evacuees.

• Interfor working with Ministry of Transportation officials to re-open the Lillooet Lake Road.

Wednesday, Oct. 22

• Schools in Pemberton re-opened.

• Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish is closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for repairs at the Cheakamus Canyon.

Officials hope to have a single-lane bridge over Rutherford Creek by Saturday, Oct. 25 or Sunday, Oct. 26.