On November 17, 2021, British Columbia experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, causing massive road and rail closures. We often talk about how different global events have an effect on your packaging, so how does the flooding in B.C. factor in? In this blog post, we’ll let you know what’s going on in B.C., and what you need to expect when it comes to your packaging.
If you’re curious about the status of the Port of Vancouver, we also recommend checking out the official Port of Vancouver website. Read on to learn more!
What Happened in B.C.?
The heavy rain is the result of an atmospheric river. Atmospheric rivers are narrow columns of water that transports water vapour from tropical regions to higher latitudes. As the water vapour rises, it condenses and cools into precipitation, usually in the form of snow or rain. The heavy rainfall caused by atmospheric rivers is a crucial contributor to water supplies. They contribute to about 20% of the Earth’s total water flow!
While the atmospheric river was the main source of the heavy rainfall, other factors also affected the flooding. The absence of trees due to clearcut logging means that soil is able to move more freely.
With no tree roots to hold the soil in place, it makes it easier for sediment to get into nearby water systems. This clogs the waterways, causing them to overflow faster. There’s also an increased risk of landslides and debris flows from the widespread wildfires the province experienced during the summer, adding another degree of danger to the heavy rainfall. Furthermore, a second atmospheric river is expected to make landfall, leaving the province bracing for impact.
What to Consider When Ordering Your Packaging
As a result of the heavy rain, southern B.C. experienced not only major flooding, but multiple landslides on major roads. The Port of Vancouver suspended rail operation due to flooding. Additionally, a section of the Trans-Canada Highway was swept away in a landslide, effectively cutting Vancouver off from the rest of Canada.
In a recent blog post, we talked about how China’s energy crisis has caused delays for all shipping. At LeKAC, we offer two main shipping methods; air and sea vessel.
If you’re ordering packaging through sea vessel, it’s important to consider the delays caused by different global events. The supply chain is already under strain from the ongoing pandemic and the energy crisis. According to The Maritime Exclusive:
[The] Port of Vancouver reported that it had a total of 61 vessels today, including 23 vessels at berth and another 33 currently at anchor. This included six container ships on berth with an equal number at anchor.
Source
The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port! When goods arrive, they must move inland, either by road or rail. With a large section of the Trans-Canada Highway and Railway collapsed, goods have to take a detour through the United States to arrive at their final destination.
If you need your packaging quickly, we recommend air shipping to avoid any delays in ground and sea vessel transport. You can speak with our knowledgeable packaging consultants to learn more about this shipping option!
How To Stay Informed
Though we’ve talked about the impact of the flooding on your packaging, our thoughts are with the residents of B.C. affected by the floods. This weather event has not only impacted business, but also the lives of everyday people as well.
That being said, the situation in B.C. is constantly evolving. If you not a B.C. resident, it can be hard to stay updated about what’s going on. If you have a question about how the flooding will affect your shipment with LeKAC, please do not hesitate to contact us! We’ll do our best to keep you up to date about your order, and offer you alternatives where available.
