Multiple Fatalities Confirmed in Boating Incident Near Squamish Amid Severe Flooding Across Sea-to-Sky Region
Subhadarshi Tripathy
11/13/20264 min read
Police are investigating a fatal boating incident in British Columbia's Squamish Valley after several people became involved in an emergency on Thursday, November 12, amid severe flooding and dangerously high river levels.
The RCMP confirmed that multiple people died in the incident, although investigators have not released the exact number of fatalities or the identities of those involved.
RCMP Insp. Robert Dykstra said the incident involved several individuals and confirmed that some people managed to reach safety.
He declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The emergency unfolded as a series of powerful storms battered the Sea-to-Sky region, bringing heavy rainfall, rapidly rising rivers and widespread flooding to communities north of Vancouver.
Search-and-rescue teams responded to the Squamish River area Thursday afternoon, with additional rescue personnel mobilized later that evening.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the flooding directly caused the boating incident or what circumstances led to the fatalities.
Search-and-Rescue Crews Respond to Squamish River Emergency
Squamish Search and Rescue deployed a helicopter into the Squamish River area Thursday afternoon following reports of a serious boating incident.
Additional emergency personnel from North Shore Rescue were observed departing their rescue base Thursday evening as response efforts continued.
Police confirmed that several people were involved but did not specify how many had been aboard the vessel, how many survived or whether anyone remained missing.
Dykstra acknowledged the fatalities while emphasizing that investigators were not prepared to release further information.
The RCMP has also not disclosed the type of boat involved, where the incident occurred along the river or whether the occupants had been travelling recreationally or for another purpose.
The lack of confirmed details leaves several important questions unanswered as authorities work to establish what happened.
The identities of the deceased have not been released, and police have not announced when additional information may become available.
Heavy Rainfall Sends Rivers Surging Across Region
The boating incident occurred during an extended period of severe weather that has affected much of southwestern British Columbia.
Environment and Climate Change Canada recorded approximately 135 millimetres of rainfall at Squamish Airport between Tuesday morning and 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
The sustained precipitation caused rivers and streams throughout the Sea-to-Sky corridor to rise rapidly, resulting in flooding, road closures and dangerous conditions near waterways.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued flood warnings for the region, indicating that water levels had reached or were approaching levels capable of causing flooding in nearby communities.
Officials warned that fast-moving water, unstable riverbanks and debris carried downstream could create serious hazards.
The forecast centre expected river levels to peak Thursday afternoon, although conditions remained unpredictable because of the volume of rainfall and runoff.
Another storm system was also expected to affect the region over the weekend, raising concerns about additional flooding and renewed increases in river levels.
Emergency officials have urged residents to remain clear of swollen rivers and avoid unnecessary travel through affected areas.
Evacuation Orders and Shelter-in-Place Advisories Remain Active
The severe weather has prompted extensive emergency measures in communities surrounding Squamish and Pemberton.
The Village of Pemberton remains under a community-wide evacuation alert, with residents advised to shelter in place if they can safely do so.
An evacuation alert means residents must be prepared to leave on short notice if conditions worsen.
However, certain properties face more immediate danger and have been placed under evacuation orders.
Several properties along Airport Road in Pemberton have been ordered to evacuate because of flooding and high river levels.
Líl̓wat Nation has also expanded evacuation orders affecting properties along the Lillooet River corridor, including areas extending toward Lillooet Lake.
The measures affect more than 50 properties in the Nation's territory, according to reports released during the emergency.
North of Squamish, residents in Paradise Valley have been advised to remain in place because of flooding and the potential loss of safe road access.
Highway 99 has also experienced closures near Pemberton, disrupting travel and complicating access to affected communities.
Local authorities are continuing to monitor river conditions and assess whether additional emergency measures are necessary.
Woman Rescued From Flooded Vehicle Along Squamish Valley Road
In a separate emergency earlier Thursday, a woman was rescued after her vehicle became stranded in floodwater along Squamish Valley Road.
The woman reportedly remained trapped for more than an hour as water rose to approximately waist height around her vehicle.
Squamish Search and Rescue was preparing to respond when another person in the area heard her calling for help.
The bystander reached the woman and helped her escape before rescue crews arrived.
Mike Teske, manager of Squamish Search and Rescue, described the outcome as fortunate and credited the community member who intervened.
He also noted that the woman had been able to maintain cellphone reception while stranded.
According to Teske, mobile coverage becomes unreliable farther along parts of Squamish Valley Road, potentially creating additional challenges for people attempting to contact emergency services.
The incident demonstrates the dangers associated with driving through flooded areas, particularly on remote roads where conditions can change rapidly.
Officials Urge Residents to Avoid Flooded Roads and Waterways
Emergency authorities across the Sea-to-Sky region are continuing to emphasize the importance of following evacuation instructions and avoiding hazardous conditions near rivers.
Fast-moving floodwater can conceal damaged road surfaces, submerged obstacles and unstable ground.
Residents have been advised not to walk or drive through flooded areas and to follow all road closures and directions from emergency personnel.
People whose properties are under evacuation orders must leave as directed, while those under alerts should maintain emergency supplies and prepare for the possibility of evacuation.
Officials are also encouraging residents to monitor updates from EmergencyInfoBC, local governments and the B.C. River Forecast Centre as weather conditions evolve.
The Village of Pemberton reported Thursday evening that river levels had begun to decline after exceeding forecast flows, but warned that flooding hazards and damaged roads remained a concern.
The improvement does not eliminate the possibility of renewed problems, particularly with additional rainfall forecast.
Investigation Continues as Communities Face Further Storms
The fatal boating incident has added to the seriousness of an already difficult week for residents and emergency responders in the Sea-to-Sky region.
While search-and-rescue crews have been responding to flooding emergencies, RCMP investigators are now working to establish the circumstances of the deaths on the Squamish River.
Police have confirmed that some individuals survived, but have not provided a full account of the incident or disclosed the number of people who were on the vessel.
The relationship, if any, between the boating emergency and the extreme river conditions has not been officially determined.
With additional storms expected and some roads still impassable, authorities remain focused on public safety, emergency assistance and monitoring vulnerable communities.
For now, the identities of those who died and the events leading to the boating incident remain unknown as the investigation continues.
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