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Old Fort, B.C., Issues New Evacuation Alert as Landslide Cuts Off Access

Officials warn the still-moving slope could take weeks to stabilize.

Overview

  • The Peace River Regional District issued a new evacuation alert for an expanded area, telling Old Fort residents to be ready to leave on short notice.
  • The reactivated slide triggered an Evacuation Order Monday after it severed Old Fort Road, the only route to the community near Fort St. John.
  • The order remains in effect with no safe road access, and emergency crews and supplies cannot reach people who stayed, so those residents were told to shelter and conserve essentials.
  • Transportation engineers report the slope is still moving, with a road segment shoved about 48 meters downslope and fresh cracks, debris, and pooled water on the slide face.
  • About 70 people have left so far from a community of roughly 150, and forecast rain over the next two days could raise pore-water pressure, speed movement, and prolong the cutoff in a zone that also failed in 2018.