Three homes heavily damaged in B.C. landslide

A number of residents remained unaccounted for after a large landslide severely damaged three homes in Johnsons Landing, a remote British Columbia community on the northeast shore of Kootenay Lake.

A state of local emergency has been declared for the Johnsons Landing area.

Environment Canada reports there is the potential for severe thunderstorms in Kooteny Lake on the afternoon or evening of July 13. The storms could bring with them hail measuring as big as three cm in diameter, damaging winds, intense lightning and as much as 25 mm of precipitation.

It is unknown was caused the slide, which initiated from Gar Creek shortly after 11 a.m. on July 12, notes an update from the Emergency Operations Centre.

Search and rescue personnel had undertaken a search for the missing individuals, based on best information believed to be four. The effort was suspended by about 11:30 p.m. due to darkness and concerns that responder safety could be compromised.