Livestock death toll from B.C. flooding: 628,000 poultry, 12,000 hogs, 420 cows

With recovery efforts underway in flood-stricken parts of British Columbia, officials are getting an idea of the massive impact the extreme weather had on the province's livestock.

With recovery efforts underway in flood-stricken parts of British Columbia, officials are getting an idea of the massive impact the extreme weather has had on the province's livestock.

In an update Thursday, Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said more than 640,000 animals are known to have died.

That total includes 628,000 poultry, 12,000 hogs and 420 dairy cows. Additionally, 110 beehives were destroyed.

There are still more than 800 farms under evacuation, so official believe the death toll will likely change as residents and operators return.

Popham said solemnly that the weather is expected to be better over the next few days, which will be "critical for removal of carcasses."

"The work by farmers and volunteers and companies to clean out barns and to remove those animals continues to be extremely heartbreaking. I request that folks remain empathetic and caring in their comments, as they continue to do this very difficult work," she said.

Popham did not provide details on her motive for making such a statement, but it may have been a reference to comments posted on social media suggesting those who look after these animals didn't care for their wellbeing anyway, as they'd raised them for consumption.