HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

On the Queen Charlotte Islands the highway was devastated by the storm, which peaked on December 1
during the two hours around noon. The damage was caused by a combination of high tides, heavy rain, and winds up
to 90 mph (132.0 km/h). The storm caused erosion of some 3 mi. (4.8 km) of road adjacent to the sea (B.C. Ministry
of Public Works 1969). The highway between Skidegate-Tlell was strewn with fallen trees. At Dead Tree Point,
waves carried on 24-ft. (7.2 m) tides pounded the highway flanks breaking up the pavement.
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*1) The Mariners Weather Log (MWL) is a quarterly (bimonthly during the period 1957 -1981) publication of the U.S.
Weather Bureau which provides information on weather over the world’s oceans and the Great Lakes. The first issue
was published in January 1957 (Lewis and Moran 1985).
December 22-26, 1967
Event type: Snow avalanches.
Precipitation: Kemano (48.3 mm/1 day), December 22, 1967; Kildala (44.2 mm/1 day), December 22, 1967; Terrace
(57.4 cm (snow)/2 days), December 22-23, 1967; Prince Rupert M. Circ (70.8 mm/3 days), December 22-24, 1967;
Langara (72.4 mm/2 days), December 25-26, 1967.
Source: Terrace Omineca Herald, January 3, 1968; The Daily News, December 27, 28 and 29, 1967; The Northern
Sentinel, December 27, 1967; J. Mekechuck, pers. comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta.
On December 23-24, Terrace reported 28 in. (71.1 cm) of snow. The storm was a combination of heavy
snow and warm temperatures. Prince Rupert reported maximum temperatures of 13.9 o C on December 26, 17.2 o C on
December 27, and 13.1 o C on December 28.
Highway 16 between Prince Rupert-Terrace was closed. Since the night of December 26, the highway was
blocked by four separate slides. Large slides occurred at Mile 35 and Mile 50, with a length of several hundred feet
and a depth of 5 ft. (1.5 m). At the tunnel 44 mi. (70.4 km) west of Terrace, a small slide came down and there were
numerous smaller slides at Amsbury Bluff. Winds up to 50 mph (80.5 km/h) caused snowdrifts 4-5 ft. (1.2-1.5 m)
high.
CNR reported snowslides at Mile 42.4, 43.7, and 50.1. CN telecommunications were disrupted and the rail
line was closed for 14 hours.
January 11-17, 1968
Event type: Snow slides.
Precipitation: Kemano (104.1 mm/1 day), January 11, 1968; Falls River (167.7 mm/2 days), January 11-12, 1968;
Kildala (148.6 mm/3 days), January 11-13, 1968; Kitimat Townsite (211.9 mm/3 days), January 11, 13-14, 1968;
Aiyansh (30.7 mm/1 day), January 12, 1968; Terrace (97.8 mm/2 days), January 12-13, 1968; Prince Rupert (101.1
mm/3 days), January 12-14, 1968; Terrace (56.9 mm/1 day), January 17, 1968.
Source: The Province, January 13, 1968; Terrace Omineca Herald, January 17, 1968; The Daily News, January 12, 15,
16, 18 and 19, February 1, 1968; The Interior News, January 17, 1968; Letter, January 10, 1989. J. Mekechuck
(Geotechnical Engineer, CN Railway, Edmonton) to J.W. Schwab (B.C. Ministry of Forests, Smithers); J. Mekechuck,
pers. comm. 1989. CN Railway, Edmonton, Alta; B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways 1969 (p. C 109).
On January 11, Prince Rupert recorded 6.8 in. (17.3 cm) of snow. On January 12, the Queen Charlotte
Islands reported 15 in. (38.1 cm) of snow, making it “one of the heaviest snowfalls in recent years.” Between January
11-13, Terrace recorded 38 in. (96.5 cm) of snow and 2 in. (50.8 mm) of rain on January 14. It was described as the
“worst snowfall in memory.” On January 15, schools and many businesses were closed. On January 17, Prince Rupert
reported 16 in. (40.6 cm) of snow followed by rain at night. *1)
Twenty-four inches (60 cm) of snow falling on January 12 forced the closure of Highway 16 between Prince
Rupert-Terrace. On January 12, Highway 16 between Prince Rupert-Terrace and Highway 25 between Terrace-Kitimat
were restricted to one-lane traffic only. Between Kwinitsa-Salvus, snowdrifts of 4-6-ft. (1.2-1.8 m) were reported. On
January 13, 19 vehicles carrying approximately 30 persons were trapped by avalanches and heavy snowfall between
Terrace-Prince Rupert. No damage or injuries were reported. On January 13-14, heavy snow, drifting, and slides
blocked the highway. The highway was blocked for three days when 42 in. (106.7 cm) fell in a period of 24 hours,
followed by rain (B.C. Ministry of Public Works 1969). The worst snowslide occurred 53 mi. (84.8 km) east of Prince
Rupert. It was 200 ft. (60 m) long and 15 ft. (4.5 m) deep. The highway was reopened on January 15 for single-lane
convoy traffic only. On that date, one RCMP-guided convoy was completed safely in each direction. On January 16,
Highway 16 was reopened to traffic. On Highway 16 several small slides came down on January 17, creating
hazardous driving conditions. On January 18, all slides were cleared, but single-lane traffic remained on several
sections. The worst spots were between Mile 8-31 west of Terrace and Mile 35. Highway crews were keeping an eye
on a huge pile of snow at Mile 51 near Kwinitsa. On January 19, Highway 16 was reported in good condition, despite
2 in. (5.1 cm) of fresh snow overnight.
On January 15, the rail line and the highway between Prince Rupert-Terrace were blocked by dozens of
slides. The highway was blocked for three days, during which 42 in. (106.7 cm) of snow fell in a period of 24 hours,
followed by rain. The worst snowslide occurred 53 mi. (84.8 km) east of Prince Rupert. It was 200 ft. (60 m) long and
15 ft. (4.5 m) deep. A large snowslide 300 ft. (90 m) long and 15 ft. (4.5 m) deep cut the rail line. On January 13, CNR
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