Tragedy on Highway 99: When Beauty Turned Deadly in British Columbia
What began as a calm November morning onย Highway 99 near Lillooet, British Columbia, turned catastrophic when a massiveย mudslideย tore through the mountain pass. The disaster claimedย four livesย and left one person missing, marking one of the regionโs darkest days.
Triggered byย intense rainfall and unstable soil, the slide sent tons of mud and debris crashing onto the scenicย Sea-to-Sky Highway, burying vehicles and blocking access to nearby towns. Rescue teams worked around the clock, usingย drones, excavators, and search dogsย to recover victims amid dangerous terrain. After days of searching, officials were forced toย halt recovery efforts, citing ongoing instability and the risk of additional slides.
Local communities have been left heartbroken. Candlelight vigils now light the valleys, while residents mourn those lost and call forย stronger infrastructure and climate preparedness. Experts warn that worsening weather patterns linked toย climate changeย may increase the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
Highway 99 will reopen somedayโbut for many, it will forever stand as aย somber reminderย of natureโs unstoppable power and the fragile balance betweenย beauty and dangerย in the mountains of British Columbia.
