Tragedy on Highway 99: When Beauty Turned Deadly in British Columbia

What began as a calm November morning on Highway 99 near Lillooet, British Columbia, turned catastrophic when a massive mudslide tore through the mountain pass. The disaster claimed four lives and left one person missing, marking one of the region’s darkest days.

Triggered by intense rainfall and unstable soil, the slide sent tons of mud and debris crashing onto the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, burying vehicles and blocking access to nearby towns. Rescue teams worked around the clock, using drones, excavators, and search dogs to recover victims amid dangerous terrain. After days of searching, officials were forced to halt recovery efforts, citing ongoing instability and the risk of additional slides.

Local communities have been left heartbroken. Candlelight vigils now light the valleys, while residents mourn those lost and call for stronger infrastructure and climate preparedness. Experts warn that worsening weather patterns linked to climate change may increase the risk of similar tragedies in the future.

Highway 99 will reopen someday—but for many, it will forever stand as a somber reminder of nature’s unstoppable power and the fragile balance between beauty and danger in the mountains of British Columbia.