1 dead, 1 feared dead on Vancouver Island after weekend flooding

RCMP are warning people to stay away from the Sarita River near Bamfield, B.C., after one person was found dead and another is missing, presumed dead, following weekend flooding on Vancouver Island.

Port Alberni RCMP say the search for two separate missing people near the Vancouver Island community, about 200 kilometres by road northwest of Victoria, began on Saturday evening.

They say the vehicle of one of the missing was found "fully submerged" in the Sarita River on Saturday, with the driver found dead nearby.

The second vehicle was also found in the river and the driver is presumed dead inside.

The news comes following confirmation that a woman whose home was washed away by a mudslide in Coquitlam, B.C., over the weekend was found dead following the weekend's torrential downfall.

She has been identified as Coquitlam elementary school teacher Sonya McIntyre, 57.

Huu-ay-aht First Nation Chief Councillor and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District chair John Jack told CBC News it is believed both drivers were residents of Bamfield, a community of about 200 people that is in the midst of Huu-ay-aht Nations land and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

He said both are well known in the community, and their deaths would be profoundly felt. Offices and several businesses in the community, he said, have closed to mourn.

"We're at a low point, community-wise, right now," he said. "It's tragic."

Saturday night washout

Police say the search for the missing started when they received a report of an overdue traveller driving to Victoria from Bamfield was first reported missing at 5:45 p.m. PT, RCMP said.

A second report of a missing traveller, driving to Bamfield from Port Alberni, came at 6:45 p.m. PT. That person's dog had been found around 1 p.m. near the Sarita River, and the people who found the pet contacted the family of its owner.

RCMP say a helicopter was sent to conduct an aerial search, while Alberni Valley Search and Rescue crews were called in to assist.

At around 9 p.m. PT, a relative of one of the missing found the missing person's truck "fully submerged" in the Sarita River. The missing driver was found dead a short distance away.

A second vehicle has also been found in the Sarita River, and police say they believe the second missing person is in the vehicle, as well.

RCMP say they are waiting for an opportunity to recover the vehicle, but recovery is being delayed because of ongoing flood risks.

"RCMP are urging people to stay away from the area of Sarita River as water is flowing fast, and this portion of the Bamfield Road is susceptible to flooding, especially around high tides," said Const. Beth O'Connor in an emailed media release. 

"Also, police want to remind everyone that attempting to cross flooded roadways can be extremely dangerous."

Safety improvements needed: chief councillor

Jack described Bamfield Road, where the washout happened, as a remote industrial road that connects Port Alberni to Bamfield and the Huu-ay-aht village of Anacla.

He said work has been done to upgrade the road recently, but with increasingly severe weather events, more improvements are necessary in order to prevent future tragedies.

"When it comes to fires and floods, this is something that we're going to have work with the province on," he said.