BURSTAn evacuation order has been issued for the Old Fort area in the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) due to a landslide that is posing a high risk to life.
A B.C. emergency alert was issued on Monday, April 20, at 7:25 p.m. by the PRRD, notifying Old Fort residents to immediately prepare to evacuate the area, according to EmergencyInfoBC.
“The landslide is creating a significant risk to life,” reads the notice on the emergency information website.
A coordinated evacuation access period on Old Fort Road was temporarily open at 9 p.m. Monday for one to two hours.
“This is the only evacuation time, the road will not reopen again. Supports and Emergency Services will not be provided for those who do not evacuate,” reads the alert message issued on Monday.
The road remains closed to the public and road access to Old Fort is no longer considered safe.
EmergencyInfoBC urges people to evacuate to the Pomeroy Sports Centre located at 9324 96th St., Fort St. John. Emergency Support Services (ESS) were available until midnight on Monday at the centre.
An evacuation order means people in the affected area are at risk and must leave the area immediately.
EmergencyInfoBC recommends following all directions from officials.
If you are still in the area, those directions are as follows.
- Stay in a safe location
- Avoid the landslide area
- Conserve essential supplies
- Be ready for further instructions
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
EmergencyInfoBC recommends registering for ESS for short-term basic support at this link.
To view the evacuation order issued by PRRD, click here.
The PRRD posted an update to their Facebook page around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
The evacuation order was still in effect and no safe road access to or from the community was available, the district says.
“A coordinated evacuation was carried out last night. Some residents were able to leave safely. Others may still remain in the area. The landslide remains active and conditions continue to be monitored.”
The PRRD says geotechnical teams continue to assess the area.
“We are working with provincial partners to determine next steps. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”