HISTORICAL NEWS SEARCH - Government of British Columbia

Source: The Daily News, November 13, 14 and 15, 1933; The Omineca Herald, November 15, 1933; Evening Empire,
November 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1933; The Interior News, November 15, 1933; Letter, November 28, 1933, A. A.
McLean (Acting Gen. Foreman) to J. C. Brady (Dist. Eng. Prince Rupert), B.C. Ministry of Transportation and
Highways, Terrace; File 2-20-0 Letters, November 13, 20, 1933, John Anderson (Gen. Foreman Anyox) to J. C. Brady
(Dist. Eng. Prince Rupert). B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Terrace.
In the Terrace area, heavy rain, combined with a south wind, caused many small slides and downed telegraph
lines. On the rail line between Woodcock-Kwinitsa, several slides and washouts occurred, interrupting the rail traffic.
A four car train derailment occurred a the end of the bridge at Mile 36 west of Pacific. A wrecking train derailed 2 mi.
(3.2 km) west of the first derailment. The high water levels on the lower Skeena River carried out several bridges and
flooded the rail line in places. The train service was resumed on November 17 and the next day trains were running
again both directions. The water in Kitsumkalum Lake reached very high levels. Heavy damage was caused and
numerous bridges had to be replaced and grades built up. The Kitsequecla bridge No. 61 was undermined. The
temporary repairs were undermined again during the November 17-24 storm event. In the Smithers district, warm
rains removed the snow.
The rainfall at Anyox on November 9, 10, and 12 was the greatest on record. On November 10 and
November 12, 4 in. (100 mm) over 4 in., respectively were recorded. In the hills a heavy snowfall occurred, causing
high water. The townsite of Alice Arm flooded with up to 2 ft. (60 cm) of water, forcing the residents to move to
higher ground. The northeast fork of the Kitsault River broke through onto the flats about 300 ft. (100 m) upstream
from the previous year’s break. The heaviest storm occurred on November 12. The wing dam constructed the year
before was left high and dry. When the river broke through at previous year’s location on November 12, it took out
half of the dam. Bower’s Ranch at the end of the bridge was under 4 ft. (1.2 m) of water. Other small farms on the
flats, including Stevens’ and Calfa’s, were also flooded. Some small washouts occurred between Alliance Road and
Stevens Ranch. The recommendation was to move the existing farmers out of the Kitsault Flats and to cancel the sale
of more lands on the flats.
High water along the Naas (Nass) River washed away nearly half of the Indian cemetery at Greenville. Reed
Staich, employee of the United Mining Co. of Stewart, drowned in the Bear River. The rowboat, which was attached
to a cable, swamped while crossing the river.
November 14-25, 1933
Event type: Flooding.
Precipitation: Ocean Falls (178.1 mm/2 days), November 17-18, 1933; Prince Rupert (182.3 mm/7 days), November
17-23, 1933; Swanson Bay (501.5 mm/7 days), November 17-23, 1933; Falls River (271.1 mm/6 days), November 18-
23, 1933; Terrace (157.3 mm/7 days), November 18-24, 1933; Namu (51.1 mm/1 day), November 19, 1933; Aiyansh
(103.7 mm/3 days), November 20-22, 1932.
Source: The Daily News, November 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1933; December 2, 1933; The Omineca Herald,
November 15, 22 and 29, 1933; The Terrace News, November 22, 1933; Evening Empire, November 18, 22, 24 and
25, 1933; Environment Canada 1991; Letters, November 20 and 28, 1933, A. A. McLean (Acting Gen. Foreman) to J.
C. Brady (Distr. Eng. Prince Rupert), B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Terrace.
Heavy rainfall and an east-south-east gale with an average velocity of 50-mph (80 km/h) and gusts of 70 mph
(112.7 km/h) were reported along the coast. Heavy rain also occurred in Terrace, Rosswood, Alice Arm, and Anyox.
Terrace reported a record rainfall of 5.85 in. (148.6 mm) for the period November 14-25. *1) The heaviest rainfall
occurred on November 23 with 0.99 in. (25.1 mm).
In the Prince Rupert area a slide occurred on the hillside on 3 rd Avenue at the back of Jones’ Meat Market.
The telephone line was downed for a distance of four poles and a small shed and lean-to were wrecked and carried off.
Debris and old logs were reported drifting off the mouth of the Skeena River and elsewhere along the coast.
Overnight November 17-18, Prince Rupert experienced “the most severe storm of the year.” Throughout the
night an east-southeast gale raged with an average velocity of 50-mph (80 km/h) with gusts of 70 mph (112 km/h).
Heavy rain accompanied the wind. In the 24 hours ending November 4 a.m. on November 18, Prince Rupert recorded
1.04 in. (26.4 mm), most of which fell during the night. Due to the highest tide of the year on November 18 at 2 p.m.,
the local docks were almost awash. Heavy rain was also reported from all interior and coastal points.
The rail line between Prince Rupert-Terrace experienced the “worst flood since 1917.” At least 10 slides
were reported and one end of the bridge at Amsbury went out. The tracks were flooded at several places between Mile
36-Prince Rupert.
On November 18, the rail line was cleared and some traffic resumed in both directions. The service was be
back to normal by November 20. During the previous week, slides and washouts on the lower Skeena had interrupted
traffic. The last obstruction to be cleared was a washout just east of Ritchie station. Temporary bridging was expected
to be completed later on November 18.
On the rail line between Terrace-Smithers the bridge 1 mi. (1.6 km) east of Woodcock went out. Between
Andimaul-Kitwanga there were two washouts and some small slides elsewhere along the line. Both telegraph lines
were down until the afternoon on November 24.
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