The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has ordered the evacuation of the entire community of Old Fort, due to a nearby landslide.
The small subdivision south of Fort St. John was cut off last Sunday when the slide destroyed the only road leading into the community.
Several smaller evacuation orders were issued earlier in the week, and shortly after noon on Sunday the district ordered the entire community to clear out.
PHOTOS: Officials go door to door to inform Old Fort residents of evacuation order
PRRD protective services manager Deborah Jones-Middleton said in total, 59 homes have been evacuated.
“Information collected during the helicopter survey of the area and ground truthing showed evidence of stress cracks and other signs of instability throughout the area west of the main slide, and upslope of Old Fort Road on the east side of the main slide,” Jones-Middleton said.
WATCH: Northern community copes after being cut off by landslide
She said the order was given because continued movement of the main and reactivated slides now pose a risk to public safety.
BC Hydro said the slide appears to still be moving about four metres a day, and that crews have been pulled out of the area for safety reasons.
It said about 62 properties have lost power.
The PRRD said RCMP and members of the Peace River District were on site assisting with the evacuation on Sunday, and that boats would be used to taxi people to the nearby Site C dock, from which they would be shuttled to an emergency reception centre via bus.
Emergency support services are being offered to evacuees at the Pomeroy Sports Centre in Fort St. John.
A public meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday at the Stone Bridge Hotel.
READ MORE: Evacuation alert issued for residents near landslide in northern B.C.
“After the evacuation all services to the area will stopped. Those who choose to stay will do so at their own risk and will be required to be 100% self-sufficient. All access routes will be manned and once some comes out they will not be allowed back in,” the order said.
Global News has requested comment from the district and the Ministry of Transportation.
Last week, the ministry said the slide area remained unstable, and that there was no timeline for the road to the community to be rebuilt.
Comments