The first of what could be hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces personnel have arrived in British Columbia to assist with flooding and landslide rescues and recovery.
A statement from the Canadian Joint Operations Command Centre says nine members from Edmonton’s Third Canadian Division Immediate Response Unit are now in the province to plan and co−ordinate ongoing relief efforts.
The statement says the exact size of the expected contingent isn’t yet available but it says armed forces members have been "identified and placed on high readiness to respond."
A Hercules aircraft arrived in Edmonton last night and is staging for departure to BC, joining a Griffon helicopter that will also come from Edmonton and a Cyclone helicopter from CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.
The Canadian Armed Forces have been called in to help with recovery efforts in flood−stricken BC, with the provincial government declaring a state of emergency.
The military will provide both air and land support for critical provincial supply chains and in evacuation and rescue efforts.
Premier John Horgan says travel restrictions will be introduced to ensure essential goods and medical and emergency services can reach communities.
Defence Minister Anita Anand says more troops will be sent to help the hardest−hit communities.
Crews will continue to search through debris left by landslides along Hwy 99 near Lillooet and Highway 7 near Agassiz to determine if any vehicles were caught underneath.
No bodies were recovered Wednesday, but at least two people are still reported missing.
BC Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says thousands of farm animals died when parts of the Fraser Valley flooded, and efforts are underway to develop routes to allow veterinarians to access farms and treat what livestock may have survived.
