B.C. residents bypass highway closures with U.S. detour – but obstacles remain for some
After spending days stranded by storm-related highway closures, a growing number of British Columbians are getting home by detouring through the United States – although border rules could pose an obstacle for some.
Travellers who managed to bypass the landslides, flooding and washouts affecting several major routes across B.C. have been sharing their success stories in Facebook groups, offering advice to others who are desperate to be back in their own beds.
That includes Kelowna roommates Jordan Boyd and Aaron Meikle, who were returning from a trip to Vancouver Island when the monstrous storm hit. After learning Highway 1 was blocked on Monday, they re-routed to Highway 99 – only to be cut off again by the deadly mudslide near Lillooet.
"We ended up getting stuck in a hotel in Pemberton for days," Boyd told CTV News. "There were quite a few other people trapped there, so we would all meet up in the mornings and the evenings to exchange information."
Among stranded travellers, both online and in those kinds of informal meet-ups, there has been much confusion and uncertainty about what would be needed in order to cross into the U.S. While the Canada Border Services Agency confirmed some pandemic-related entry requirements would be waived for B.C. travellers trying to cut across Washington state, there haven't been any such assurances from U.S. officials.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection told CTV News that normal crossing rules "have not changed," including the proof-of-vaccination requirement for everyone age 18 and older.
"Individuals entering the U.S. must possess a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, Enhanced Driver's Licence or Enhanced Tribal Card as well as proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination," USCBP spokesperson Jason Givens said in an email.
That could be a tall order for marooned B.C. residents who never expected they would need their passport or Nexus card moving between the Lower Mainland and Interior.
But some have reported making it across with less, including Boyd and Meikle. They posted a series of TikTok videos documenting their journey in the hopes of helping others stuck in similar circumstances.
"I just got through with nothing but a licence and a picture of my passport," Boyd says in their first video, recorded shortly after they crossed the border at Blaine, Wash.
The roommates told CTV News they weren't asked about their vaccination status, and both only have a regular Class 5 driver's licence. Their trip from Pemberton to Blaine, then Oroville to Kelowna, took about 11.5 hours total – more than twice as long as it normally would.
Joven Martinez Garcia managed to complete a similar trip in the opposite direction, returning home to New Westminster from Osoyoos with his girlfriend and four-month-old son.
They also saw mixed messages on social media – but after waiting around for days, they decided to take their chances.
"For me, there was a kind of desperation. We just wanted to get the baby home and get back to work," he said.
Garcia told CTV News they were asked about their vaccination status and citizenship status when entering the U.S., but had an otherwise easy experience. He noted they were fortunate to have some identification for their baby in the form of a medical card.
"Everything went smoothly actually, they just asked for our ID," he said. "I had asked my mom to take a photo of our passports – I figured it's better to have more documents just in case – and they didn't even need it."
The route from Pemberton, B.C., to Kelowna, as recommended by Google Maps on Nov. 19, 2021.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection was adamant that pictures of travel documents will not suffice, regardless of any social media posts going around.
"I believe there are some rumours out there that state otherwise, but they are just rumours," Givens told CTV News.
That means attempting to cross into the U.S. without proper documents is a gamble, at best.
There are some exemptions for stranded travellers on the Canadian side. The CBSA has said they can pass through the U.S. to get home without needing a COVID-19 test before or after their return to Canada. They are also exempt from quarantine.
A CBSA spokesperson noted those exemptions were built into the regulations, which allow certain requirements to be dropped for border-crossers coming back after "carrying out everyday functions that, due to geographical constraints, necessarily involve entering the United States."
Crews have been hard at work for days clearing B.C.'s highways, but there has been extensive damage on some routes and it's unclear how long it could take for them to reopen.
Even those that do in a limited capacity, such as a single alternating lane of traffic, could be subject to pending travel restrictions coming from the provincial government. The question of whether those restrictions will allow access for marooned residents could be answered Friday, when officials expect to share further details on their plans.
For now, Boyd, Meikle and Garcia all wished the best of luck to others who remain stranded on the wrong side of the province.
"For me, it was a heck of an adventure," Garcia said. "I just hope everyone gets home safe."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.