Heartbreaking Loss in Lions Bay

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Enns family is grappling with the loss of David and Barbara Enns, a retired couple whose home in Lions Bay was tragically swept away by a massive mudslide over the weekend. As search and rescue teams continue to comb through the debris, relatives hold on to hope and anxiously await updates.

Devastating Mudslide

On Saturday morning, during a powerful windstorm that lashed B.C.’s south coast, a mudslide initiated from Magnesia Creek, devastating the couple’s home of nearly 30 years and disrupting the busy Sea to Sky Highway below. According to Squamish RCMP, authorities confirmed on Sunday that the body of David Enns, who had a successful career in commercial real estate, was recovered amidst the destruction. His wife, Barbara, a former banker, remains missing.

Family's Plans for Christmas

Prepared to celebrate Christmas with their adult children, the couple had planned family gatherings when tragedy struck. Abe Enns, David’s brother, described the emotional turmoil his family faces, revealing that their son in Vancouver is "broken up" over the loss.

Impact of the Landslide

The mudslide caused severe infrastructural damage, including the demolition of a small bridge linking Glendale Avenue and Crystal Falls Road. The area has since been declared a local state of emergency, with officials noting significant property and structural losses as well as the unfortunate loss of life.

Search and Rescue Efforts

As emergency crews continue their search for Barbara, Mayor Ken Berry stated that specialized search and rescue teams, including heavy urban search units, are on the ground. Fortunately, engineers have assessed that no further immediate risk of landslides exists, leading to the temporary evacuation of nearby residents as a precautionary measure.

Challenges Faced by Rescuers

Search efforts have been harrowing, with rescuers navigating waist-deep mud as they sought to reach homes in the danger zone. Amidst this chaos, a family with pets was successfully rescued, highlighting the brave efforts of the search teams.

Weather Concerns

While calmer weather brought some respite, ominous forecasts of an impending atmospheric river raised concerns for residents. The community braced themselves, readying for possible evacuation should conditions worsen again.

Previous Warnings

The mudslide has triggered scrutiny over previous geological assessments of the area. A report from Cordilleran Geoscience in 2018 had already flagged concerns about potential debris flows in the vicinity, warning of the risks posed by steep natural stream banks. Now, the community faces the harsh reality of those warnings as families attempt to recover and rebuild.

Community Resilience

As search teams persist in recovering Barbara’s whereabouts, the Enns family navigates this profound loss. Community members express their condolences, and as Lions Bay grapples with this catastrophic event, the resilience of its residents continues to shine through amidst the darkness.

Looking Ahead

Stay tuned as new developments arise in the search and recovery efforts, providing hope for the Enns family and reinforcing the community's strength in the face of adversity.