An Evacuation Order remains in effect for the Old Fort area due to an active landslide and ongoing risk to safety resulting from the closure of Old Fort Road by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
There is no safe road access to or from the community.
Current Situation
The landslide remains active and conditions continue to change.
The road has significantly shifted and is not safe for travel. As a result, emergency services are currently unable to access the area, and essential supplies cannot be delivered at this time.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit is responsible for the roadway and their experts will continue to assess and evaluate the situation. They report that while the landslide continues to be active, no timeline for restoration of access can be estimated.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and decisions have been made in real time based on changing conditions and expert assessment. From the moment the issue was reported on Sunday, actions were taken immediately to understand the situation and respond as the risk became clear.
A coordinated evacuation was carried out last night during a limited period when emergency crews and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit determined it was safe to provide access. This allowed residents to leave safely with support in place.
Evacuated residents will continue to receive ESS supports until the Evacuation Order is lifted.
If You Remain in the Area
Residents who remain in the area are advised to:
Stay in a safe location
Avoid the landslide area
Conserve essential supplies
Be prepared for further instructions
Emergency services access may be limited.
Call 9-1-1 if you are in immediate danger.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
Emergency Support Services are available for evacuated residents, contact ESS at 250-263-3109. Evacuated residents will continue to receive ESS assistance until the Evacuation Order is lifted.
What Happens Next
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit will continue to monitor and assess the situation. Check DriveBC and other MoTT channels for their updates.
Monitor PRRD and MoTT channels to receive the latest official information.
The next update will be provided at 5:00 PM, or sooner if new information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was an Evacuation Order issued?
The Evacuation Order was issued because there is no safe road access to or from Old Fort. Without access, emergency services cannot reach residents, and essential supplies cannot be delivered. This decision to prioritize resident safety is based on experience gained from prior road closure events.
Can I return to the area or check on my property?
No. There is currently no safe road access, and travel into the area is not permitted.
Are emergency services available in Old Fort?
Emergency services are currently unable to access the area due to the road closure and ongoing landslide.
When will the road reopen? A timeline is not yet known. Geotechnical assessments by The Ministry of Transportation and Transit are ongoing, and safety will determine when access may be restored.
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