This past weekend, our region saw the first atmospheric river event of the season. Many areas across Metro Vancouver – including Coquitlam – saw record-breaking rainfall, which led to flooding, road and park closures.
Video recording of the October 21 Council-in-Committee meeting where Coquitlam's City Council acknowledged the impact of the weekend's atmospheric river event.
COQUITLAM, B.C., October 21, 2024 – This past weekend, our region saw the first atmospheric river event of the season. Many areas across Metro Vancouver – including Coquitlam – saw record-breaking rainfall, which led to flooding, road and park closures.
In our community, it also led to a devastating mudslide on Quarry Road. Tragically, this event claimed the life of one of our community members. On behalf of the City, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones, friends and colleagues of the deceased. Our thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time.
Many will recall the November 2021 atmospheric river event and the effects of that storm. It is important to consider that, while the 2021 event brought 97 mm of rainfall in Coquitlam over a 24-hour period, this past weekend our community received over 254 mm in 24 hours. This was a major weather event and, arguably, more than 2.5 times worse than 2021.
Coquitlam’s Response Efforts
City Council wants to recognize the tireless efforts of our City crews—including staff in Engineering and Public Works, Fire/Rescue, Emergency Management, Parks and Recreation, and Communications and Civic Engagement— and the Coquitlam RCMP who worked throughout the weekend, and in some cases around the clock, to respond to the impacts of this storm.
A special thank you to the many staff who were out braving the elements while many of us watched the storm’s impacts online or on TV. Your dedication made a critical difference in keeping our community safe. Special thanks to Canada Task Force 1, a Regional Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team comprised of members from Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, Vancouver Police Department, and other search teams, including Canine Units, for their critical support.
Coquitlam City Council and staff also thank Coquitlam Search and Rescue for their involvement in separate rescue operations over the weekend, as well as their continued efforts to locate a missing hiker. The City is truly appreciative of their ongoing commitment and service to our community.
Gratitude for Public Support
We also appreciate the community’s ongoing patience and understanding as we work through the impacts of this extraordinary event. Public resources across the region were stretched, and public support during this challenging time made a real difference.
While this atmospheric river brought significant challenges, the collective response from City staff, emergency personnel, and residents was truly remarkable.
Now that the storm has abated and many areas are returning to normal, we will continue to assess the impacts and provide support to those affected in the days ahead.
Media contact:
Kathleen Vincent
Senior Manager, Communications and Civic Engagement
City of Coquitlam
media@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.