Search crews have recovered the body of a Lions Bay resident whose home was swept away by a mudslide on Saturday.
The mudslide north of Lions Bay took place during a major windstorm on B.C.’s south coast. It temporarily closed Highway 99, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway, and knocked a home off its foundations.
Crews have been searching the landslide area looking for two missing persons.
“Sadly, on Dec. 15, emergency crews located the body of one of the residents directly involved, who had succumbed to their injuries,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. James Grandy.
“Emergency crews are continuing their search this evening for a second person associated with the home who remains unaccounted for.”
Highway 99 was closed overnight but has since reopened in both directions. DriveBC reported the road as open around 5 a.m. Sunday, ahead of an estimated 9 a.m. reopening.
Crews worked overnight to remove a large number of trees and debris from the road.
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RCMP say highway maintenance contractors and the Ministry of Transportation are on scene completing a technical assessment, and crews are expected to remain at the site for “the foreseeable time.”
Drivers caught behind the mudslide posted pictures and video to social media showing the blockage.
North Shore Emergency Management provided lodging and a reception centre in North Vancouver for those stranded south of the slide site.
Whistler also activated an Emergency Reception Centre at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for displaced travellers.
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