B.C. storm: Highway 99 being closed from Pemberton to Lillooet Tuesday
The B.C. government has once again closed Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet as the province grapples with the third atmospheric river in less than a week.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said concerns about the impacts of the latest storm prompted the government to close that stretch of the highway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Highway 1 remains closed between Abbotsford and Chilliwack and between Popkum and Hope, meaning Highway 3 and Highway 7 will be the only major routes connecting the Lower Mainland and Interior after Highway 99 shuts down.
"Drivers should expect some delays," Fleming said. "I do remind drivers that these routes are not up to the same condition as before the first storm arrived two weeks ago."
Parts of both routes are also only open for essential travel. The restriction applies to Highway 3 from the junction of Highway 5 to the west entrance of Princeton, and Highway 7 from Murray Street in Mission to the Highway 1 junction in Hope.
Essential includes everything from transporting food, water and health-care supplies to moving livestock and seafood products. A full list can be found on the B.C. government website.
Public transit, school buses and charter buses are also allowed on Highway 7, but not Highway 3.
That atmospheric river marks the third to reach B.C.'s South Coast in less than a week, and officials have strongly discouraged non-essential travel even on highways that remain fully open.
"There is uncertainty about this next storm as the forecast models do vary," Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday. "For now, what people should do is to get prepared. Being prepared makes a huge difference."
Those who decide to travel during intense storms have been advised to be prepared with food, water, warm clothes, a blanket and an emergency kit.
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.