The flooding Coldwater River inundated parts of Merritt as seen in this screenshot from aerial video shot by a drone operator, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021

Image Credit: YOUTUBE/Greg InBC

With B.C. now under a state of emergency, there is work under way in multiple southern B.C. municipalities and on multiple highways to grapple with ongoing flooding.

The Coldwater River has shifted its route through private property, in a clear sign that the natural forces of flooding this week have not receded.

A shifting river is a natural process, but it signals the effects of climate change on a municipality, Merritt city councillor Mike Banghu said.

Many highways in southern B.C. remain closed with no estimation of reopening, but there has been progress on some passes.

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Highway 7 near Agassiz was opened with just one lane on Thursday morning in order to allow commercial trucks to pass through.

The Ministry of Transportation said in a news release that the single lane would allow trucks stranded in Hope to travel back to the Lower Mainland.

The ministry added that after closing the lane again on Nov. 18, they plan to have single lane alternating traffic open for all vehicles between Hope and Agassiz later the same day.

On Highway 99, a landslide has claimed the life of at least one person.

The road remains closed between Pemberton and Lillooet.

READ MORE: B.C. mayor says dike repair urgent as rain predicted for next week

Meanwhile, B.C. Trucking Association president David Earle told iNFOnews.ca that Highway 3 is planned to reopen soon for emergency and commercial vehicles.

While not the main artery many commercial drivers might use to go between the Lower Mainland and the Thompson-Okanagan, it provides a crucial link to bring goods across, and it will cut short other options like detouring south of the U.S. border. That should also bring a lot more traffic through Highway 97 in the Okanagan.

Canadians can now, however, cross the international border with relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, should travellers choose to take the long detour.

The Trans Canada and Coquihalla highways remain closed due to extensive damage to roadway infrastructure. There is no timeline on the repair work yet.

While there is a prospect of Highway 3 reopening, the Trans Canada Highway through Abbotsford and Chilliwack is still not possible as the Sumas Prairie, a major agriculture hub, remains under water.

Thousands of farm animals have died in the flooding, according to B.C. agriculture minister, Lana Popham.

There is no reopening time scheduled as water levels continue to fluctuate.

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun is worried about continued rain that is expected in the area, with 80 to 100 millimetres expected next week, he told a news conference.

Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway are assessing the damage on their rail lines. Each company has tracks through the Fraser Valley, while CN also has a rail that travels north from Vancouver to Prince George. Spokespeople from each company told iNFOnews.ca that rail access is disrupted due to mudslides and flooding.

Travel by road and rail is hampered by closures and infrastructure damage, but airlines have ramped up flights in Kamloops and the Okanagan.

Multiple airlines have added flights in Kamloops, Kelowna and Penticton to carry passengers and cargo to and from Vancouver.

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Air Canada has also added flights between Kamloops and Kelowna to carry medical supplies, according to a social media post by the airline.

There is still uncertainty across southern B.C. about the extent of the damage from the flooding impacts, but commercial suppliers are finding ways to move goods into the Interior and connect with the Metro Vancouver area, where land access with the rest of the province has been cut off.

As the Canadian military comes to aid the province in reestablishing supply chains and evacuation efforts, the state of emergency will help the provincial government to preserve services for communities that need it.

Check DriveBC for the most up to date reports on road conditions.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

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