A devastating mudslide near Lillooet, British Columbia, has left the community in shock, claiming multiple lives while others remain missing. What began as heavy rainfall over the weekend quickly turned catastrophic, as water-saturated slopes collapsed, burying part of Highway 99—also known as Duffey Lake Road—under tons of debris. For rescue teams, families, and the wider province, the disaster adds another painful chapter to a year already marked by hardship.
By Saturday, the B.C. Coroners Service confirmed that three men had been found dead in the debris field. A fourth man, reported missing alongside them, has still not been located despite extensive search efforts. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe, in a somber written statement, noted that one body was recovered on Wednesday and two more on Thursday, confirming fears that the initial slide was more deadly than first believed.
Earlier in the week, the slide had already claimed the life of a woman whose body was pulled from the wreckage on Monday. She was the first confirmed fatality. Combined with the three men, the known death toll stands at four, though it could rise depending on ongoing investigations. The missing individual has not yet been declared deceased, though officials acknowledge that survival after so many days is unlikely.
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us in B.C.,” Lapointe said. “My heart goes out to the families and communities who have endured these tragic losses. I extend my deepest condolences to those grieving the sudden and unexpected deaths of loved ones, as well as the family of the missing person we have yet to locate.”
She added that while active search operations have concluded due to unsafe conditions, discussions are ongoing about whether further recovery might be possible. In the meantime, the Coroners Service will focus on collecting facts for the public record and, where possible, offering recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.
Law enforcement and search-and-rescue crews have been working tirelessly since the mudslide struck on November 15. Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the B.C. RCMP emphasized that challenging conditions have hampered efforts. Torrential rain, unstable ground, and the sheer volume of debris made each search dangerous. Crews have had to balance the urgency of recovering victims with the ongoing risks posed by the terrain.
For families awaiting answers, the uncertainty has been agonizing. Loved ones cling to hope, but as days pass, that hope fades. The violence of the slide—capable of crushing vehicles, blocking roads, and sweeping away everything in its path—makes survival extremely unlikely. “We are doing everything possible to bring closure to these families,” Shoihet said, “but the safety of our teams remains a priority.”
The mudslide and accompanying floods have highlighted the growing vulnerability of British Columbia communities to extreme weather. Last weekend’s relentless rainfall, described by meteorologists as a historic atmospheric river, overwhelmed rivers, destabilized slopes, and triggered widespread flooding. Highways were cut off, homes flooded, and communities isolated. For many, the Highway 99 disaster symbolizes a broader crisis where extreme weather is no longer rare but recurring and devastating.
Highway 99, the site of the deadly slide, remains closed, with no clear timeline for reopening. Engineers are still assessing the area’s stability, wary of further collapses. The road is a critical link for residents and travelers, but reopening prematurely could endanger more lives. For now, detours and emergency routes are the only options.
Community members and local leaders have rallied to support those affected. Vigils have been held, and fundraising efforts are underway to aid grieving families. The shock of the incident has raised difficult questions about preparedness, infrastructure, and the adequacy of emergency response systems amid increasingly frequent natural disasters.
For the families of the victims, however, those questions cannot outweigh the immediate pain of loss. The deceased were fathers, brothers, daughters, and friends—ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Their absence will be felt long after the debris is cleared and the highway is repaired.
The Lillooet mudslide is one of several recent disasters that have underscored the fragility of life in the face of nature’s power. As the province mourns, officials urge continued vigilance and stronger measures to address the risks posed by climate change, unstable landscapes, and extreme weather events.
For now, British Columbia grieves. A province already tested by fire, flood, and pandemic faces loss once again. And while the search has officially ended, the memories of those who perished—and the haunting uncertainty surrounding the missing individual—will linger, serving both as a reminder of vulnerability and a call to prepare for what lies ahead.