Coquihalla closed due to mudslide between Hope and Merritt

Highway 5 has closed between Hope and Merritt due to a mudslide.

DriveB.C. is reporting the road’s closure between Exit 202 and Exit 217, eight km south of the Great Bear Snow Shed. The highway will remain closed until at least Monday, Nov. 14. DriveB.C.'s next update will be tomorrow at noon.

An alternative route is available via Highway 3.

REMINDER – #BCHwy1 #BCHwy5 – Multiple closures due to mudslides, rock debris and flooding in the Fraser Valley, Fraser Canyon, #HopeBC area and the #Coquihalla. Conditions are dynamic and crews responding as safely and as quickly as possible, please avoid any unnecessary travel.

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 14, 2021

Highway 1 is also closed north of Hope due to a rockslide. The Trans-Canada is also closed between Chilliwack and Hope due to a separate mudslide. DriveB.C. is asking drivers to avoid unnecessary travel and to expect closures and major delays.

READ MORE: Rockslide closes Highway 1 north of Hope

An assessment is in progress but there is no current estimated time for the road’s reopening.

Drivers have reported rocks on Highway 5A this afternoon between Merritt and Princeton.

Boulders on Hwy 5a just past Allison Lake between Merritt and Princeton. @DriveBC @Kamscan pic.twitter.com/hwsirKdv4X

— #yka (@ykadoug) November 14, 2021

A rainfall warning is in effect for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Sea to Sky – Squamish to Whistler, Whistler, and the Sunshine Coast from Gibsons to Earls Cove. The region could see up to 150 mm of precipitation.

"Rising freezing levels with melting snow giving rise to increased river flows and localized flooding," according to Environment Canada.

A rainfall warning is also in effect for the Coquihalla. Environment Canada warned heavy rain could cause flash floods on the highway as it’s expected to get up to 90 mm of precipitation.

– This story was updated at 3:23 p.m. to include information about Coquihalla's closure until tomorrow.

– This story was updated at 1:52 p.m. to include information about Highway 5A.

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