Lions Bay landslide

Mudslides and Mayhem: A Wild Day on Highway 99!

Highway 99 near Lions Bay is closed after a massive landslide. No injuries reported, but what a show Mother Nature put on!

In a stunning display of nature's might, a massive landslide has closed Highway 99, also known as the Sea to Sky Highway, near Lions Bay, British Columbia. The incident took place just after 11 a.m. and saw soil, rocks, and an impressive amount of trees come crashing down onto the roadway. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and while no injuries have been reported thus far, the impact was strong enough to shut down traffic in both directions, leaving many drivers to seek alternate routes—if any existed!

The situation escalated further when it was revealed that a home in the area had been directly impacted by the landslide. Local RCMP reported that there are residents who remain unaccounted for, prompting search-and-rescue teams to utilize drones and search dogs to scour the area. It’s a double-edged sword as the joy of a weekend break turns to a concern for the residents of Lions Bay. With wind warnings and gusts predicted to reach up to 100 km/h, officials are urging the public to stay clear of any potential rerouting options.

As emergency crews work tirelessly to assess the damage and determine the fate of those unaccounted for, authorities indicated that Highway 99 is not expected to reopen until at least midnight. Travelers trying to navigate around this disaster are reminded that safety is the main priority—who knew navigating a mudslide would become the new trend in adventure tourism?

For now, while we all may be gripping our steering wheels a little tighter, let's spare a thought for remarkable natural occurrences. Did you know that British Columbia is home to the largest ever documented mudslide in Canadian history? The Frank Slide of 1903 in Alberta saw over 30 million cubic meters of rock cascade down Turtle Mountain, what a wild time it was! Nature certainly knows how to keep us on our toes—unfortunately, this time with a mudslide that has caused some serious tailbacks!