INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010PSSG0048-000934 Aug. 6, 2010

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Emergency Operations Centre

 

URGENT: EVACUATION ORDER ISSUED AFTER MEAGER CREEK LANDSLIDE

 

PEMBERTON — An evacuation order has been issued by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), the Village of Pemberton and Lil’wat Nation due to the imminent breach of the dam on Meager Creek created earlier today by a large-scale landslide.

 

The Evacuation Order is for the low-lying areas of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Village of Pemberton and Mount Currie Band; specifically Pemberton Meadows, which is north of Miller Creek, and from the Lillooet River  Bridge on Highway 99 downstream to Lillooet Lake. Reception centres are currently being established in Whistler and are expected to receive up to 1,500 people. As well, the Emergency Social Services mobile support team is being sent from metro Vancouver to assist.

 

Residents under an evacuation order should immediately leave the area and proceed to the Spruce Grove Field House reception centre in Whistler to register. Further instructions on temporary lodgings and food will be provided at the reception centre. Officials are working on ESS destinations and will be communicating that out to affected people shortly.

 

Police and emergency officials are currently going to each dwelling and business in the evacuation zone to deliver the order. They will provide detail as to a safe route to the nearest reception centre.

 

The evacuation order is issued to ensure protection of human life while emergency officials work to control the nearby landslide and potential flooding.

 

-30-

 

Media Contact:

Susan Williams Public Information Officer Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Emergency Operations Centre 604 586-5363

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.