Canadian Armed Forces deploying 300 personnel to B.C. to help with flood evacuations

The federal government has confirmed that an initial group of 300 Canadian Armed Forces troops are being deployed to B.C. to assist with evacuation efforts as extreme flooding causes havoc in the southern region of the province.

Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said the group will help alleviate supply chain hurdles, extract residents from flood and landslide sites, sandbag around water pump stations, and more.

“I spoke with the chief of the defence staff today, and they’ll be bringing their logistics support and bringing all the resources that are necessary to help B.C. through this very difficult time,” said Blair on CTV News Channel’s Power Play on Wednesday.

“Planes and helicopters will be brought into the area.”

Blair added that as many as 4,000 personnel are ready to be mobilized to help.