Isolated again

The latest winds and rains have wreaked a bit of havoc along the North Coast and into the Skeena Valley.

With water pooling along Highway 16 and the threat of avalanches considered very high, Highway 16 between Terrace and Prince Rupert was closed earlier today, with the highest risk area apparently in the Car Wash rock portion of the highway.

At that location reports had upwards of three feet of water or more washing over the highway from the mountain ranges, leaving more than few drivers a little nerve wracked as they came across the scene early this morning.

The avalanche situation will be re-addressed later this afternoon, but for the remainder of the afternoon at least the Highway is closed.

Things aren't much better in Terrace where the frozen ground is making for a poor sponge for the massive amounts of rain that have fallen there in the last 48 hours. The Terrace Fire Department is reporting flooding in some of the low lying areas of the city and there has been a mudslide reported in the eastern side of the city.

Environment Canada still has a heavy rainfall warning in effect for the region.

Rainfall warning for:North Coast-Coastal Sections
AN ADDITIONAL 40 TO 50 MM OF RAIN TODAY.

AN INTENSE FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG SOUTHEAST WINDS TO THE NORTH AND CENTRAL COASTS TODAY.

40 TO 50 MM OF RAIN IS EXPECTED TODAY OVER THE NORTH COAST BRINGING TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 80 TO 100 MM.

SOUTHEAST 60 TO 90 KM/H WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE CENTRAL COAST THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST PUBLIC FORECASTS FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

The Ministry of Highways has posted the following message on their website:


Highway 16 Both Directions

Closed in both directions from Tyee, 110 km west of Terrace to Terrace (110 km) because of high avalanche hazard. Next update at 3 pm. Updated on Wed Jan 24 at 12:24 pm. (ID# 38428)

Jan 24, 2007 12:24 PM


Highway 37 Both Directions

Closed in both directions from Bell 2 Bridge, 93 kilometers north of Meziadin Junction to Bob Quinn Lake Maintenance Contractor Yard (48.1 km) because of high avalanche hazard. Next update at 6 pm. Updated on Wed Jan 24 at 12:29 pm. (ID# 38422)

Jan 24, 2007 12:29 PM


Highway 37A Both Directions

Closed in both directions from Stewart to Meziadin Junction with Highway 37 (61.5 km) because of High Avalanche Hazard. Next update at 3:00 pm Jan 24. Updated on Wed Jan 24 at 10:16 am. (ID# 38320)

Jan 24, 2007 10:16 AM

For those weary of the wet, there is the promise of sunshine by tomorrow afternoon.


Text Forecast from Environment Canada
Prince Rupert: Issued 11.00 AM PST Wednesday 24 January 2007

Rainfall warning in effect.

Today
Rain at times heavy. Amount 40 to 50 mm. Wind southeast 50 to 70 km/h becoming south 40 this afternoon. High 9.

Tonight
Showers ending near midnight then cloudy. Windy. Low plus 3.

Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 4.

Friday
Sunny. Low minus 1. High plus 5.

Saturday
Sunny. Low plus 1. High 6.

Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Low plus 1. High 6.


UPDATE: The highway was reopened on Wednesday night at 8pm!