Lorn and Kim lost their home and property.
Donation protected
As the waters of the Thompson- Nicola river quickly rose Lorn and Kim hurried to pack up some belongings into their travel trailer and all of their beloved animals on their hobby farm, they knew they had to go but with a sudden surge of water the situation became dire quickly, the property was being taken over by the river, Lorn was in the truck trying to get the animals loaded, the pick-up truck at times floating, the water was rising so quickly.
In the darkness out of nowhere, they saw a flashing light, it was a guardian angel, a Surrey RCMP officer who was stranded himself. He had been heading home from a trip to Merritt, he was trying to hike to safety, he had to separate from his car at a washout and started hiking towards Spences bridge Kim explained that he wouldn’t be able to go on as the road in both directions was already washed out and the hillside became sheer cliff ahead. He stayed, they were all now in this together.
They made it to the end of their driveway. Kim, Lorn, the RCMP member and the animals that they could move were trapped on a tiny remaining stretch of road with no communication to the outside possible. They watched as the river surrounded their home and swept it down the river.
With the trailer parked at the end of the driveway close to the chicken coop and horse pen they tried to get some sleep Lorn and Kim in the trailer and the RCMP member in their truck. After a few hours, Kim was awoken by the sound of the horses crying out in terror their once 3-acre property was now a new channel of the river water rushed under the trailer the horse pen was quickly crumbling the sound was deafening, they could not hear each other, it was the most terrifying sound you can imagine, a huge piece of the mountain on the other side of the river let go and slammed into the new river. They frantically moved the trailer and animals not knowing if a few feet down the road would be any safer, the land where the trailer was located was gone seconds later.
They lay awake telling each other that this is it, we are going to die here together.
While all of this was happening we the family had no idea where they were, pleading on social media to anyone who would share the post that they were missing. Finally, almost 24 hours later after the last contact with family, a call was received from a BC Hydro crew……they randomly found them while assessing damage in the area, they were able to land and speak with them, once the crew was in an area where communication was possible they called and let us know where they were and that they were safe for the time being.
We are so thankful to this crew we finally knew where they were and we were able to set into motion a rescue but of course with everything else happening this did not happen quickly.
The BC hydro crew and a Telus crew who saw them as well dropped off hay for the horses and water and food for them, such an incredible relief.
The RCMP helicopter came the next day and picked up Kim. Lorn and the Surrey RCMP member stayed behind to care for the animals. As Kim flew over what was their dream property only purchased a few years ago she saw the absolute devastation, everything gone, they have nothing, their retirement home, some of their animals, all of their possessions all gone. Kim quickly came to realize the magnitude of the devastation not just for them but the whole community and so many others as they had no idea of what was happening around the province. As she flew away she cried out to her husband, I love you, I need you, please be ok. One of the rescuing RCMP officers told Kim we will get them and all of your animals but we have to prioritize the rescue of other people first.
The RCMP reached out to the Horse Council of BC and they jumped into motion planning a first time ever aerial livestock rescue to happen in BC, after 4 nights stranded Lorn and the animals were lifted out by an absolutely incredible joint effort of resources. Everyone is now safe thanks to the amazing men and women who selflessly took the time and made the effort to get this done.
Lorn, Kim and our family cannot thank everyone enough. The messages of hope, the sharing on social media, the donations to the Go Fund Me, the prayers it has been so comforting and has helped us through this devastating time. Every single donation makes a huge difference as their insurance has declined their claim and because their vehicles are not damaged but my be stuck for over a year they are also not covered.
In the darkness out of nowhere, they saw a flashing light, it was a guardian angel, a Surrey RCMP officer who was stranded himself. He had been heading home from a trip to Merritt, he was trying to hike to safety, he had to separate from his car at a washout and started hiking towards Spences bridge Kim explained that he wouldn’t be able to go on as the road in both directions was already washed out and the hillside became sheer cliff ahead. He stayed, they were all now in this together.
They made it to the end of their driveway. Kim, Lorn, the RCMP member and the animals that they could move were trapped on a tiny remaining stretch of road with no communication to the outside possible. They watched as the river surrounded their home and swept it down the river.
With the trailer parked at the end of the driveway close to the chicken coop and horse pen they tried to get some sleep Lorn and Kim in the trailer and the RCMP member in their truck. After a few hours, Kim was awoken by the sound of the horses crying out in terror their once 3-acre property was now a new channel of the river water rushed under the trailer the horse pen was quickly crumbling the sound was deafening, they could not hear each other, it was the most terrifying sound you can imagine, a huge piece of the mountain on the other side of the river let go and slammed into the new river. They frantically moved the trailer and animals not knowing if a few feet down the road would be any safer, the land where the trailer was located was gone seconds later.
They lay awake telling each other that this is it, we are going to die here together.
While all of this was happening we the family had no idea where they were, pleading on social media to anyone who would share the post that they were missing. Finally, almost 24 hours later after the last contact with family, a call was received from a BC Hydro crew……they randomly found them while assessing damage in the area, they were able to land and speak with them, once the crew was in an area where communication was possible they called and let us know where they were and that they were safe for the time being.
We are so thankful to this crew we finally knew where they were and we were able to set into motion a rescue but of course with everything else happening this did not happen quickly.
The BC hydro crew and a Telus crew who saw them as well dropped off hay for the horses and water and food for them, such an incredible relief.
The RCMP helicopter came the next day and picked up Kim. Lorn and the Surrey RCMP member stayed behind to care for the animals. As Kim flew over what was their dream property only purchased a few years ago she saw the absolute devastation, everything gone, they have nothing, their retirement home, some of their animals, all of their possessions all gone. Kim quickly came to realize the magnitude of the devastation not just for them but the whole community and so many others as they had no idea of what was happening around the province. As she flew away she cried out to her husband, I love you, I need you, please be ok. One of the rescuing RCMP officers told Kim we will get them and all of your animals but we have to prioritize the rescue of other people first.
The RCMP reached out to the Horse Council of BC and they jumped into motion planning a first time ever aerial livestock rescue to happen in BC, after 4 nights stranded Lorn and the animals were lifted out by an absolutely incredible joint effort of resources. Everyone is now safe thanks to the amazing men and women who selflessly took the time and made the effort to get this done.
Lorn, Kim and our family cannot thank everyone enough. The messages of hope, the sharing on social media, the donations to the Go Fund Me, the prayers it has been so comforting and has helped us through this devastating time. Every single donation makes a huge difference as their insurance has declined their claim and because their vehicles are not damaged but my be stuck for over a year they are also not covered.
Everything is gone, they now have to start over.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hg0SAYxrqA
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hg0SAYxrqA
https://cfjctoday.com/2021/11/25/many-homes-near-spences-bridge-washed-away-by-flood-community-hopes-for-long-term-help/
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/strangers-trapped-by-floodwaters-near-spences-bridge-band-together-to-survive-save-animals-1.5677208?fbclid=IwAR0EPe6UO68kwtZ1zID
https://globalnews.ca/video/8394769/b-c-floods-horses-airlifted-to-safety
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=2327512&fbclid=IwAR3oz3USO2Co_cuyRLBcamPYzeccHbYapAmXeOA-WZNdJ4y-CGc9h2ZOiuM
November 19th
We just received word that Lorn and the horses are safe and everyone is together.
Thank you again for all of the concern, kindness, support and donations.
Update from daughter Michelle Nov 18:
I just wanted to let everyone know that my dad is safe and will be airlifted out tomorrow. This is his 4th night with the animals. We also got an update that the horse's are going to be sedated and also will be airlifted out. They will be taken to kamloops.
There are no words for what we are going through. Although, our parents are alive and safe, the devastation is beyond all of us.
I cannot thank each and everyone enough who has taken the time to share, donate, and send words of encouragement. We are forever in your debt and we appreciate all the support and love.
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After a terrible summer being evacuated from their home, Lorn and Kim have now lost their home and almost all of their belongings. They watched as their home was swept away right in front of them.
Their entire property is taken over by the Thompson-Nicola River, everything is gone.
Kim has been evacuated but still has not had any contact with anyone as Spences Bridge is with communication services. This info was relayed to us. Lorn has stayed on the tiny piece of road that is left and completely washed out in both directions with their many many animals, the RCMP will go back in the morning to check on him and hopefully have a plan to get them out.
We are so thankful to the Telus crew that found them.
If you can spare anything to help them it would mean a lot as they have a long road ahead of them, they planned on retiring here and now that has been ripped away from them. We don’t know for sure but we think that insurance coverage for flooding is unlikely given the location and will probably be a long time before they get their vehicle returned to them.
Lorn and Kim are the people who would give the shirts off their backs to help anyone or animal please help if you can.
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa MacKay
Organizer
Chilliwack, BC
Lorn Thibodeau
Beneficiary
