The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District confirmed Tuesday June 30, that the Place Glacier outburst is underway. According to SLRD, it is expected to occur over one or two days, with the most substantial flows late in the day on July 1.
The SLRD’s hazard monitoring system picked up signs that the ice-marginal lake started draining early Tuesday morning. Researchers from the University of Northern British Columbia, who track the site, alerted the regional district’s Emergency Operations Centre as soon as the drainage was detected. Forecasters say the flows should be similar in size to the outburst recorded in 2024, and larger than what the region saw in 2025.
The SLRD is urging anyone in the area to steer clear of Place Creek, Poole Creek, and Gates Lake until the event has run its course and crews have had a chance to assess conditions. Risks include rapidly rising water levels, erosion, and unstable streambanks.
An evacuation order has been in place for residents of 24 properties in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area, 30 km northeast of Pemberton, since the morning of June 25. This order was issued after consultation with technical experts who weighed the expected size of the outburst against the danger to homes and residents. A Declaration of a State of Local Emergency accompanied that order.
Through the event, SLRD staff and outside experts will keep watch on conditions inside the evacuation zone, tracking impacts to Place Creek, Poole Creek, local infrastructure, and nearby properties. That information will guide decisions on whether further emergency measures are needed. The regional district is also working with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to keep an eye on the Poole Creek Road culvert in case maintenance or emergency repairs become necessary.
Once the flows subside and it’s safe to do so, crews plan to carry out rapid damage assessments to gauge the impact and chart a path toward recovery. The evacuation order will stay in effect until on-the-ground inspections and monitoring data confirm it’s safe for residents to go home; the SLRD says it will notify the public as soon as that happens.
Drivers are advised to check DriveBC for the latest on any road impacts tied to the flooding.
For residents displaced by the order, Emergency Support Services are available around the clock through the Canadian Red Cross at 1-888-800-6493.
The SLRD says it will continue to share updates via SLRD Alert, its website, email subscriptions, and social media as the situation develops. Residents can sign up for SLRD Alert, subscribe to Place Glacier Hazard email updates, or follow the district on Facebook and Instagram for real-time information.
