HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

*1) Similar floods occur periodically, most commonly in the late summer when ice activity and volume of melting are
greatest. Prior to 1932, floods for which dates are available occurred in 1910 and 1929. They issued from
approximately the same place, about one quarter mile (400 m) west of a rock island at the glacier front (Kerr 1936).
November 16-19, 1932
Event type: Rain-on-snow flooding and snow avalanches.
Precipitation: Swanson Bay (127.0 mm/2 days) November 16-17, 1932; Falls River (149.3 mm/3 days), November 16-
18, 1932; Ocean Falls (377 mm/3 days), November 16-18, 1932; Kitimat Mission (114.3 mm/2 days) November 17-18,
1932; Aiyansh (82.8 mm/2 days), November 17-18, 1932; Prince Rupert (112.8 mm/2 days) November 17-18, 1932;
Bella Coola 147.1 mm/3 days November 17-19, 1932; Namu (214.4 mm/3 days), November 17-19, 1932.
Source: Evening Empire, November 19 and 21, 1932; The Daily News, November 17, 18, 19 and 22, 1932; Vancouver
Daily Province, November 20, 23 and 25, 1932; The Daily Colonist, November 23 and 25, 1932;Tempest 1974; File
G.0.7. Dept. Public Works Ann. Rep. 1932-33, May 10, 1933. B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways,
Terrace.
On November 17, heavy rain fell in Prince Rupert and heavy snow east of Haysport. Some points along the
Skeena River had 3 to 4 ft. (1 to 1.2 m) snowdrifts on the rail line bringing down the telegraph wires. On November
18, a large slide came down on the tracks just west of Amsbury Station. It was 100 ft. (30 m) long and 15 ft. (4.5 m)
deep. Heavy snowfalls and warm rain occurred on November 19, interrupting the rail traffic and telegraphic
communications. The westbound train was held at Smithers. Three major slides occurred on November 19, one being
200 ft. (60 m) long and 25 ft. (7.5 m) deep; the other two measured a length of 100 ft. (30 m) and a depth of 15 ft. (4.5
m). Between Pitman-Exstew, six slides and washouts occurred. Shames River and other rivers flowing into the lower
Skeena River were at record levels. The interior reported 6 in. (15 cm) diameter of ice around some of the telegraph
wires. On November 21, the telegraph communications between Hazelton and the Yukon were interrupted by heavy
snowfalls. The rail traffic was restored on November 22.
Near Terrace a washout occurred at Granite Creek. It created several channels where there was only one
before. The Department of Public Works recommended an investigation to decide on a better location higher upstream
On November 16, Ocean Falls reported 5 in. (112.7 mm) of rain in 24 hours. Even after the sluice gates were
opened, the water remained high. The S.S. Adelaide felt the effects of the high water flowing towards sea.
According to records kept by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation Highways, a moderate flood occurred on
the Bella Coola River (Tempest 1974). The flood was caused by almost a week of torrential rains and chinook winds
that melted snow in the mountains. The heaviest damage occurred near Bella Coola-Hagensborg where bridges were
destroyed and roads made impassable. Damage to the road between Bella Coola-Hagensborg was estimated at
approximately $3,000. Two bridges, one of which had been condemned several years previous and a new cable bridge
constructed earlier in the year, were carried away. Sixteen ac. (6.4 ha) of land in the vicinity were washed away. At
Hagensborg, the Bella Coola River broke through the river protection work above this farming community. Houses
were endangered and hundreds of acres of land inundated. No loss of lives was reported, but crops stored in
underground cellars were lost.
November 22-24, 1932
Event type: Rain-on-snow flooding.
Precipitation: Swanson Bay (81.8 mm/1 day) November 22, 1932; Kitimat Mission (77.5 mm/1 day) November 22,
1932; Falls River (128.0 mm/2 days), November 22-23, 1932; Aiyansh (44.2 mm/2 days), November 22-23, 1932;
Cape St. James (45.7 mm/1 day) November 23, 1932; Terrace (72.1 mm/1 day) November 24, 1932.
Source: The Vancouver Daily Province, November 24, 25 and 26, 1932; The Terrace News, November 30 and
December 7, 1932; Evening Empire, November 23, 1932.
On November 24, floodwaters of the Bella Coola River threatened Hagensborg. The renewal of abnormal
rainfall during the previous 36 hours caused further property damage. It brought the river far above its normal levels
and swept away protective dams. Many people had to again vacate their homes. Farm homes abandoned during the
previous week’s flood and reoccupied on November 19-20 were endangered again. Overnight November 25-26 with
colder temperatures, floodwaters receded.
Near Terrace, part of the hatchery road was washed away by the recent floods. The 13 Mile ferry and
probably also the 23 Mile ferry went out due to the sudden and unseasonable high water. A. Jacobson, owner-operator
of a sawmill at Shames, reported to have sustained heavy losses in livestock, merchandise, and other property in the
recent heavy rainstorms. The road conditions following the heavy storm caused a number of minor car accidents.
November 9-13, 1933
Event type: Rain-on-snow flooding.
Precipitation: Ocean Falls (158.8 mm/2 days), November 9-10, 1933; Aiyansh (161.5 mm/4 days), November 9-12,
1933; Swanson Bay (300.5 mm/4 days), November 9-12, 1933; Prince Rupert (201.2 mm/4 days), November 10-13,
1933; Falls River (239.8 mm/4 days), November 10-13, 1933; Anyox (206.8 mm/4 days), November 10-13, 1933;
Terrace (73.1 mm/2 days), November 12-13, 1933.
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