B.C. extends gas rationing order, state of emergency until Dec. 14
The ongoing impacts of a series of intense storms on B.C.'s South Coast have prompted the government to extend its gasoline rationing order and state of emergency for another two weeks.
Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth announced the extensions on Monday, as communities grappled with fresh flooding and new highway closures caused by the latest atmospheric river to reach the province's southwest.
"The significant weather that we have seen continues to create challenges," Farnworth said. "The fuel conservation measures are working, and I want to thank British Columbians for their patience, but we need to stay the course for another two weeks."
The rationing order is now scheduled to remain in place until Dec. 14, allowing more time to get the Trans Mountain pipeline operational again.
That pipeline, which normally carries roughly 300,000 barrels of oil from Alberta to Burnaby per day, has been shut down since the historic storm that struck two weeks ago.
Under the order, drivers of non-essential vehicles are only allowed to fill up 30 litres of gasoline per stop at stations across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands.
The measure is designed to ensure commercial and emergency vehicles can continue operating throughout the province's storm response, and amid ongoing supply chain problems.
When the order was initially announced on Nov. 19, it sent many drivers rushing out to the pumps, creating long lineups that resulted in some stations running out of fuel.
Officials have said they're working to prevent shortages using "new ways" of bringing gasoline into the province, including by truck and barge from as far away as California.
The province-wide state of emergency will remain in place throughout Dec. 14 as well. Farnworth said that will bolster the government's "response and recovery from the widespread damage already caused by flooding, while positioning us to take all necessary steps in the days ahead."
B.C. is bracing for its third atmospheric river in less than a week to arrive on Tuesday, delivering more heavy rain to communities that remain flooded from previous storms.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting another 100 millimetres of rain could fall in parts of the Lower Mainland, and that parts of Vancouver Island could see up to 200 millimetres.
"It's not just a rain event, it's not just a snow melting event, it's also a successive storm event," meteorologist Armel Castellan said.
"Even if the third storm is not as bad as it could have been in the modelling leading up to today, it will be problematic because they are coming so close back to back with the runoff and the saturated soil."
Rainfall from Saturday through Sunday morning sent trees, rocks and debris tumbling onto several highways in the Lower Mainland, though the impact was nowhere near as bad as the Nov. 14 storm, which damaged or destroyed an estimated 200 points along the roads.
Highways 3 and 99, which were pre-emptively closed Saturday in anticipation of the weather, have already been reopened, though parts of each are limited to essential travel.
Highway 1, which was hit by a landslide over the weekend, remains closed from Abbotsford to Chilliwack and Popkum to Hope.
"With more heavy rains forecast we will continue to monitor all of our highways in the region," Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said Monday. "Unless it is absolutely necessary, I would encourage you to stay off the roads through this next storm event."
Officials have urged anyone who does decide to travel during intense storms to be prepared with food, water, warm clothes, a blanket and an emergency kit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.