Helicopter rescues continuing as slides trap more vehicles along B.C. highways

A massive rescue effort remains underway to help the hundreds of people who were left stranded on B.C. highways overnight after an intense storm triggered several mudslides, landslides and rockslides in the province.

A massive rescue effort remains underway to help the hundreds of people who were left stranded on B.C. highways overnight after an intense storm triggered several mudslides, landslides and rockslides in the province.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth addressed the worried families with loved ones who have been marooned in their vehicles since Sunday, promising that the government is doing everything it can to bring them to safety.

"We know it's difficult but help is on the way," Farnworth said.

Another slide that struck Highway 7 near Haig on Monday left even more people trapped, though the exact number is still being determined.

"Work is underway to rescue those vehicles and those people now," Farnworth said. "While we continue to face challenging weather conditions, we can see an improved forecast ahead, which will assist with the recovery and reopening of roads."

Two of Sunday's slides cut off Highway 7 between Agassiz and Hope, stranding approximately 290 people, according to Canada Task Force 1, a heavy urban search and rescue team that operates through the Vancouver fire department.

The Agassiz Fire Department and Hope Search and Rescue were able to extract 12 people on Sunday night, but the rest – including about 50 children – were forced to shelter in place throughout the intense storm.