B.C. floods leave rural residents stranded

Five days after heavyflooding damaged roads and cut access to residentsin northeastern B.C., many people are still stranded in rural homes.

Officials say people living in47 homes in the Haslerand WillowFlats area west of Chetwynd, B.C.can't leave because a main road was severely damaged by heavy floods.

Floodinghas also knocked out power and telephone service.

• Family with baby rescued by helicopter, hundred of properties stranded by B.C. floods

There appears to be little relief in sight.

"It might be a lengthier time before those folks can get access,"saidShannon Anderson, deputy chief administrative officer for the Peace River Regional District.

The only road access to the region, Highway 97, is still closedbetween the Mackenzie Junction and Chetwynd, severing the only road link between the Peace regionand the rest of B.C.

District workers stranded

Anderson says the Peace RiverRegional Districtgovernment first became aware of the stranded citizens when staff from the area failed to show up for work after flooding began last week.

A helicopter was dispatched to survey the regionon Thurs.June 16. Thathelicopter crew also deliveredsupplies, and rescueda familywith a newborn baby, who werestranded when Highway 97collapsed at Commotion Creek.

On Sunday, crews with a Ministry of Transportation escort took a four-wheel drive vehicle through washouts into the Hasler flatsarea.

District staff went door to door to check on residents andbringfuel and propane.

One official said the people thereare self reliant and resilientbut were happy to see local government on their doorsteps.

Anderson says at least one home in the flats area wascompletelydestroyed by the flooding, and others need major renovations.

"The areas that have been hit by the floods, (the residents are)probably quite traumatized," he said.

Must rebuild

"Residents have got to rebuild their lives."

The Ministry of Transportation has notyet announced when the route will be re-opened, but the highway may re-open to single lane traffic by the end of the week.

"Construction crews and heavy equipment are working day and night," said Transportation Minister Todd Stone.

He says the massive flooding has "severely damaged" roads.

Six highways and 38 side roads were badly damaged by floods last week.