Parts of B.C. parks closed after storms damage roads, trails, campsites

Two boys look at homes surrounded by debris left by flooding from torrential rain from an atmospheric river weather system at Deep Cove in North Vancouver, on Oct. 22, 2024. Parts of provincial parks in southern British Columbia remain closed after recent heavy rain and wind storms caused flooding and damaged trails, campsites and roads. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

Large sections of provincial parks in southern British Columbia remain closed after recent heavy rain and wind storms that caused flooding and damaged trails, campsites and roads.

The Ministry of Environment says in a statement that parts of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park at Sooke, about 40 kilometres west of Victoria, remain closed to allow inspectors to assess the damage and ensure people are safe.

The ministry says the park's closures include the Juan de Fuca Trail, backcountry campsites, the Sombrio Beach suspension bridge and Parkinson Trailhead.

It says the areas of the park that are open and can be accessed safely include China Beach, Second Beach, East Sombrio Beach, Botanical Beach and Botany Bay.

The ministry's BC Parks website says much of Golden Ears Park, about 55 kilometres east of Vancouver, is also temporarily closed due to damage from last month's atmospheric river rainstorm.

Four B.C. deaths were attributed to the record-breaking storm that struck about three weeks ago.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.