Remembering the 1996 Fraser Valley Blizzard

🚨 Remembering the 1996 Fraser Valley Blizzard — A Warning for Future Infrastructure Plans

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

In my previous post about the $10 billion regional train proposal, I shared concerns about how dangerous and unpredictable our B.C. weather can be — especially when plans ignore the very real risks of climate change.

To truly understand why flashy mega-projects like regional trains may not be the safest investment right now, we need to look back at one of the worst weather events in recent B.C. history: the Blizzard of 1996.

❄️ The Blizzard of 1996 — “The Storm of the Century”

On December 29th, 1996, a massive blizzard hit the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Snowfall reached record-breaking levels — up to 80 cm in just 24 hours. Snowdrifts as high as three metres buried roads, cars, and homes.

Highways shut down. Airports closed. Public transit failed. More than 250 drivers were trapped on the highways, many stranded for up to 17 hours in freezing temperatures before help could arrive.

🏡 A Community That Stepped Up

But what happened next is something B.C. residents will never forget.

In the Fraser Valley, a young couple — Glen and Cheryl Tolsma — opened their home to anyone who needed shelter. They were told 50 people were coming. By the end of the night, they were hosting 89 stranded drivers — feeding them, comforting them, and keeping them warm while snow continued to fall.

Across the region, churches and farms turned into emergency shelters. Neighbours took in strangers. Volunteers checked on elders. It was one of those rare moments when humanity rose above crisis — not because of government action, but because ordinary people showed compassion.

🚂 Now Think About a Train in That Scenario

Imagine if instead of stranded cars, we had a high-speed regional train stuck in a canyon. No detour. No place to go. Hundreds of passengers trapped in freezing temperatures. Power out. Emergency crews unable to access the area because the highway is buried in snow or blocked by a landslide.

This isn’t just possible. It’s probable. We’ve seen what nature can do. And with climate change, it’s only getting more unpredictable and intense.

🛑 Why We Need Climate-Smart Planning — Not Just Flashy Promises

The Blizzard of 1996 reminds us of a simple truth: infrastructure must match reality.

Before spending billions on regional rail across mountain ranges and floodplains, we need to:

• Invest in local, resilient transit that works in snow and storm conditions
• Fund emergency shelters and community readiness programs
• Ensure evacuation plans exist for every major transit route
• Respect the power of nature — and plan like it could happen again

Because it will.

💬 Final Thought

The Blizzard of ’96 wasn’t just a weather event — it was a wake-up call. One we should still be listening to.

If we don’t build for climate resilience, we’re not building for people. We’re building for disaster.

👉Read my previous post on why the $10B regional train plan doesn’t make sense in a climate emergency