A state of emergency has been declared in the Canadian western province of British Columbia after a major storm cut road and rail links in the region. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to help thousands of stranded residents who have been trapped since the storm hit overnight on Sunday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged assistance during a visit to Washington DC and said troops would help rebuild. One woman was killed in a landslide, and two people are missing. As at the time of filing this report, officials expect more fatalities to be confirmed in the coming days.

Thousands of farm animals have died and many more remain trapped by the flood waters after the storm passed through one of Canada’s most agriculturally intensive areas.

Meanwhile, about twenty-thousand people are yet to return to their homes after an atmospheric river dumped the region’s monthly rainfall average in 24 hours.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced the two-week emergency order, in order to keep people off flooded roads and expedite rescues.