KITIMAT, B.C. — A British Columbia First Nation has ordered the evacuation of its roughly 800 residents after heavy snowfall in Kitimat knocked out power for more than three days.
Haisla First Nation Chief Councillor Ellis Ross called for the evacuation early Sunday morning of Kitamaat Village, one of the only areas near the northern B.C. town that remains without power.
Kitimat resident Robin Rowland says most members of the nation are headed to the Kitimat Riverlodge Leisure Centre about 15 kilometres from the village.
He says the winding road between Kitimat and the village has been barely passable because of snow, downed hydro poles and trees, but some residents managed to drive out as early as 8 a.m.
The massive blizzard dumped 168 centimetres of snow on the town between 4 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Saturday, knocking out power to more than 5,000 residents — although most had their power restored within a few days.
The District of Kitimat opened its Emergency Operations Centre Friday night in order to organize extra equipment, and private contractors were also brought in to help with road clearing.
