Update Sat. afternoon: Search continues with roughly 70 people, three dog teams
By Castlegar Source
Saturday afternoon:
As of 4 p.m., HUSAR, local SARS, RCMP have roughly 70 people in total on ground, with spotters in place above search area as safety measure, as the search continues for four people missing after a landslide in Johnsons Landing.
Emergency Operations Centre spokesman Bill Macpherson said there are three police dog teams also at work, with geo-technicians monitoring the slide and surrounding areas, and search efforts will continue until dusk.
He also said flyovers were conducted above Argenta and Bulmer creeks following concerns expressed by residents; and reported that “both are running clear with minimal debris build up observed in Bulmer Creek”.
Saturday morning:
The search for four unaccounted for Johnsons Landing residents missing since a massive landslide struck the community Thursday resumed this morning after breaking for the night Friday.
Members of the HUSAR (Heavy Urban Search and Rescue) team from Vancouver assisted by Nelson and Kaslo SAR members and RCMP accessed a portion of one of the homes Friday. They were forced to halt because of darkness, but resumed at first light if conditions at the site allow the ground search to proceed.
HUSAR reports: Top section of house structure searched which has detached from main house, with no persons found. Members continue to search for remainder of structure possibly located within 100m. Additional resources are being brought in to assist with the search efforts. The slide area continues to present problems, with debris flows and slope instability preventing a full day search yesterday.
Friday night:
A recent news teleconference slated for 7 p.m. was a misery of technical problems as RDCK representatives faced significant difficulties in updating the public, despite what appeared to be genuine best efforts.
The upshot is, there is really no new news eminating from Johnsons Landing. Residents remain without power, search efforts may have to be called off as darknesss hampers efforts in unstable terrain.
Perhaps the key message came from Joe Chirico, RDCK EOC manager, who said power outages in Nakusp, New Denver, Silverton and elsewhere were unrelated to the Johnsons Landing slide.
Having said that, he said we’ve passed the point of donations of sandwiches and doughnuts – hard cash will be required to see these efforts through. Those of you wishing to donate may contact The Source at 250-365-5972 or the RDCK at (250) 352-6665. Lines will most certainly be busy, please feel free to leave messages.
Also relevant was Chirico’s assurance that power outages in Nakusp, New Denver, Silverton and elsewhere were in no way related to the Johnsons Landing slide.
Earlier update:
In spite of ongoing debris movement and continued slope instability, the search of the landslide at Johnsons Landing has resumed this afternoon at roughly 2:15 p.m., according to Emergency Operations Centre spokesman Bill Macpherson.
“Geo-technicians and landslide experts determined that it is safe enough for search and rescue personnel to resume the search for four unaccounted residents of homes impacted by Thursday’s landslide,” he said. “Spotters are in place at positions around the slide path. Geotechnical experts are doing ongoing monitoring of the slide and surrounding area.
“Additional HUSAR (heavy urban search and rescue) personnel are on site assisting regional search and rescue teams and RCMP personnel. One police service dog team and the RCMP Air Service helicopter are also on site. Emergency responders are using heavy equipment at one of the homes severely damaged in the slide. They are equipped with avalanche beacons and transmitters for safety reasons given the conditions.
“Additional HUSAR crews are arriving and will be deployed as long as the search area continues to be determined safe by geotechnical staff.
“Johnsons Landing remains inaccessible by road and without power at this time. Emergency Social Services is caring for residents evacuated yesterday from the area.
“The public is asked to stay well away from the area to permit emergency responders to work to maximum efficiency.”
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