Floods in British Columbia

We read about the floods in the Squamish area of British Columbia...

Last weekend (October 17-20) there was very bad flooding in the area of British Columbia, Canada, where our friends live. The news said that more than 700 people have been forced from their homes because of flooding. As many as four people could be dead. One person died and at least three others are missing after two cars plunged off a bridge between Pemberton and Whistler. The cost of restoring the area may reach $20 million.

Many people have been evacuated from their homes. 100 residents from Squamish were evacuated on Friday night. On Saturday, 200 more were evacuated. North of Squamish in Mount Currie, the area where our friends live, 300 people were evacuated. The homes are flooded and the situation is drastic. On Saturday, 155 people were advised to leave their homes in Pemberton.

The communities are cut off by washouts and stores are running low on groceries. The people are hoping that helicopters will bring in milk and other food for them from the Emergency Program.

Rain is predicted in the area until Thursday. The region has had between 200 and 350 millimeters of rain since Friday.

News report - CBC News British Columbia

In class we discussed the news and used the information in a math lesson.

We located the towns of Squamish, Pemberton, Whistler, and Mount Currie on our map. We found details in the article that support the statement: "...more than 700 people have been forced from their homes because of flooding."

These are the facts that support this:

1. 100 residents from Squamish were evacuated on Friday night.
2. On Saturday, 200 more were evacuated.
3. North of Squamish in Mount Currie, the area where our friends live, 300 people were evacuated.
4. On Saturday, 155 people were advised to leave their homes in Pemberton.

Our number sentence is: 755 > 700.

We inferred that since more rain is due the rest of the week that there would be more problems for our friends. We also thought that maybe school would be closed because of washed out bridges. We were right. Ms. Cook wrote to us and said:

"Hi patti, the floods were very bad, especially for the Mount Currie people. They have now subsided and people are getting their homes back in order. We won't be back at school until Monday. take care Pam"

Patti Weeg
www.globalclassroom.org
October 25, 2003