Community Update 19: Place Glacier Hazard

Based on consultation with technical experts and monitoring information from the ice-marginal lake at Place Glacier and its downstream water channels, the SLRD has confirmed that an outburst is underway. Hazardous debris floods are expected in Place Creek and downstream water channels, with the potential for elevated water levels, erosion, and unstable streambanks.

Technical experts anticipate flood waters are likely to peak in Place Glacier’s downstream water channels late in the day on Wednesday, July 1. Residents and members of the public are advised to stay away from Place Creek, Poole Creek, and Gates Lake until the outburst has ended and conditions have been assessed.

The SLRD issued an Evacuation Order on June 25 that is in effect for residential properties based on consultation with technical experts, the anticipated magnitude of the outburst, and the potential risk to public safety and residential structures.

The Place Glacier hazard monitoring system detected that the lake had begun to drain in the morning on June 30, 2026, and technical experts from the University of Northern British Columbia immediately notified the SLRD Emergency Operations Centre.

The most substantial flows are expected to occur late in the day on July 1 and the outburst event is expected to take one to two days. Flows are expected to be comparable to the 2024 outburst event and greater than the flows seen in 2025. The SLRD will provide updates through SLRD Alert, the SLRD website, email updates to subscribers and social media as new information becomes available.

SLRD staff and technical experts are monitoring conditions within the Evacuation Order area and will observe and assess impacts to Place Creek, Poole Creek, infrastructure, and nearby properties. The Emergency Operations Centre will use this information to determine whether additional emergency response measures are required.

This team will also coordinate closely with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) to monitor conditions at the Poole Creek Road culvert and advise if emergency response or maintenance activities are necessary.

Once peak flows have subsided and when it is safe to do so, the SLRD will conduct rapid damage assessments to evaluate impacts and determine the next steps for response and recovery.

The Evacuation Order will remain in effect until monitoring information and on-the-ground assessments confirm that it is safe for residents to return. At that time, the SLRD will rescind the Order and notify residents through official communication channels.

Any impacts to roads will be monitored and reported on by DriveBC. The most up to date information about any roads impacted by this event will be found on their website.

Emergency Support Services (ESS)
Emergency Support Services (ESS) are available to support residents affected by the Evacuation Order by calling the Canadian Red Cross 24/7 Emergency Line at 1-888-800-6493.

The following emergency measures are currently in effect:

• Evacuation Order issued at 10:00 a.m. on June 25, 2026
• Declaration of State of Local Emergency (SOLE)

Find timely updates about this event and ensure you receive all emergency notifications:

• Sign up for the free SLRD Alert at www.slrd.bc.ca/alert to receive emergency notifications directly by phone, text message, or email. 
• Subscribe to Place Glacier Hazard email updates
• Review the Place Glacier Outburst Flood Hazard project page on the SLRD’s website.
• Follow the SLRD on Facebook and Instagram.