A mudslide occurred in Coquitlam, resulting in a power outage for approximately 5,000 customers due to heavy rainfall in coastal B.C. The incident was reported in the 1900 block of Pipeline Road, north of the Upper Coquitlam River Park, prompting emergency response before 5:45 a.m. PT on Thursday, as confirmed by RCMP.
Coquitlam Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Young mentioned that four homes and two industrial properties were impacted by the mudslide, with no injuries reported at the moment. B.C. Hydro stated that the mudslide caused power lines to fall, leading to the disruption of service for around 5,000 customers.
Most of the service has been restored, with only about 20 customers still without power as of 10:30 a.m. PT. Authorities have advised the public to steer clear of the area until further notice. Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) teams successfully rescued eight individuals, two dogs, and a cat from the affected region.
The heavy rainfall in the Tri-Cities area forced the temporary suspension of the West Coast Express service on Thursday afternoon, as indicated by TransLink. An issue with the tracks at Maple Ridge’s Port Haney station prompted commuters to utilize the SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central station, with buses servicing the remainder of the commuter rail route to the Fraser Valley.
TransLink later announced that trains would not operate east of Maple Meadows station on Friday morning due to track problems, necessitating a bus bridge to transport customers from Mission and Port Haney to Maple Meadows.
Environment Canada forecasts the heaviest rainfall to occur Thursday night into Friday morning in various areas, potentially leading to flooding in regions with snow. The agency advised that heavy rain is expected to diminish by midday Friday as a cold front moves across the Lower Mainland.
Evacuation orders were issued for properties in the Chilliwack area, covering nearly 40 properties, with flood watch advisories in effect for parts of the South Coast. Additionally, a new evacuation order was issued for a section of Ocean Falls on B.C.’s Central Coast due to increased landslide risks from ongoing heavy rain.
The Central Coast Regional District urged residents to evacuate immediately from Ocean Falls and Martin Valley, emphasizing the potential dangers posed by flooding and landslides in the area. Residents were advised to seek support at the Old Bank Inn in Ocean Falls.
The district, situated about 35 kilometers northeast of Bella Bella, primarily accessible by boat or air, has a history of landslides, with recent incidents occurring in 1965, 2015, and 2025. Residents are actively preparing for potential risks in the region, particularly in areas prone to landslides.
Overall, the region is bracing for continued heavy rain and potential flooding, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in affected areas.
