HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

oom on the top floor of the residence of Frank Morris were torn out. “Everything was over in less than a second,”
Morris said. At about 3 p.m., Imperial Oil Co.’s large tanker R.J. Hanna broke loose from its moorings.
It appeared that most of the damage was not done by the direct force of the “sou’wester” but by a series of
whirlwinds. The sidewalk between the Post Office and Glennie’s store was blown across the street in a direct easterly
direction. The sidewalks on 2 nd Avenue near the B.C. Undertakers were hurled in a westerly direction, while the
overhead crossing at the railway station was blown directly north. This would lead to suppose the storm was cyclonic
in nature, the centre being some distance from Prince Rupert (The Daily News, February 11, 1924).
August 23-26, 1924
Event type: Flooding.
Precipitation: Bella Coola (196.7 mm/4 days), August 23-26, 1924.
Source: The Daily News, August 27, 1924; Kopas 1970 (p. 266).
In 1924, there was a series of three floods on the Bella Coola River. Kopas (1970) notes the first one
occurred in August, which “contrary to all laws of nature, tore up the town. The Bella Coola River flooded, and the
Necleetsconnoy brought down huge batteries of trees and rocks which it hurled agaist the bridges, buildings and
roads.” (Kopas 1970). Starting August 24, floodwaters washed out a number of buildings, leaving many of the settlers
isolated. After one of the bridges washed away, access to the wharf was cut off.
Only a short time earlier, there had been a flood that did much damage in the valley. At that time it was
suggested that the village should be moved to the other side of the river. This was to prevent future isolation, as the
bridge was likely to be washed out at any time when the water would rise again.
December 9-13, 1924
Event type: Flooding.
Precipitation: Ocean Falls (238.4 mm/5 days), December 9-13, 1924; Aiyansh (24.4 mm/1 day), December 10, 1924;
Bella Coola (159.8 mm/3 days), December 11-13, 1924.
Source: Kopas 1970 (p. 266); Tempest 1974.
According to records kept by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, a moderate flood occurred
on the Bella Coola River (Tempest 1974).
This was probably the third of a series of floods on the Bella Coola River that Kopas mentions in his book
“Bella Coola.” (Kopas 1970)
December 2-7, 1925
Event type: Flooding.
Precipitation: Ocean Falls (430.9 mm/4 days), December 2-5, 1925; Terrace (53.1 mm/1 day), December 5, 1925;
Anyox (188.0 mm/3 days), December 4-6, 1925; Aiyansh (154.2 mm/4 days), December 4-7, 1924;
Source: File 35-40-14 Letter January 12, 1926, C. L. Dimock (Ass. Dist. Eng. Smithers) to G. C. Mackay (Dist. Eng.
Prince Rupert). B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Terrace, B.C.
Early December extreme high water took out the Cedar River bridge No. 40. The crib on the north side
became undermined and the rock fill washed out.
January, 1926
Event type: Glacial outburst flood.
Precipitation: Not applicable.
Source: Marcus 1960.
In January, a glacial outburst flood occurred on Tulsequah Lake. The unusual winter outburst flood was
attributed to an exceptionally warm winter preceded by heavy autumn rains. An early prospector reported it to George
Bacon of Tulsequah. The prospector stated that floodwaters rose 12 ft. (3.6 m) and that huge ice blocks were carried
many miles downstream. It was not known whether this was a true glacial outburst flood, but climatic data seem to
corroborate the statement. The normally small winter discharge and/or frozenness of the Taku River also lend
credence to the story (Marcus 1960).
February 8-10, 1926
Event type: Flooding and landslides.
Precipitation: Terrace (106.4 mm/3 days) February 8-10, 1926; Prince Rupert (36.1 mm/2 days), February 8-9, 1926.
Source: The Terrace News, February 8-9, 1926; File 35-90-34 Letter, March 12, 1926, Dist. Eng. Prince Rupert to C.
L. Dimock (Ass. Dist. Eng.). B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Terrace.
Recent heavy rains caused damage to roads in the Terrace-Kitwanga area. Slides occurred on the Hodkin’s
Road and on the hill at Terrace.
Ca. 1927-1930
Event type: Glacial outburst flood.
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