_News Talk 770
7/16/2012
Clean-up crews have their work cut out for them in Fairmont Hot Springs after a mudslide rolled through the southeast B.C. community yesterday afternoon.
About 350 people were initially forced from their homes when the wall of mud, trees and debris came down....a few have still not been allowed back until building inspectors deem the structures safe. Today, crews are trying to get a temporary road built to rescue about 600 other people who are stuck with their RV's after a bridge over Fairmont Creek was blown out. Resort crews worked late into the night on construction of a temporary road. Loree Duczek with the Regional District of East Kootenay says they're waiting for culverts to arrive, and hopefully will be able to restore temporary access this afternoon. The slide temporarily closed highway 93/95 in both directions for several hours.
Meanwhile, the rescue mission at Johnson's Landing, B.C. is now officially a recovery operation. A body was found yesterday in the massive debris field of the landslide that smashed the tiny hamlet near Nelson on Thursday. It's believed to be that of 60-year old Valentine Webber. Webber's two daughters, 17-year old Rachel and 22-year old Diana, along with a 64-year old German tourist are still missing. But officials have now given up any hope they'll be found alive.
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