West Vancouver sued for $1.5 million over 2024 atmospheric river flood damage
Strata owners at two Bellevue Avenue buildings filed suit October 16, alleging the district's negligence in drainage maintenance left them vulnerable to the October 2024 flood.
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The District of West Vancouver faces a civil claim for $1.5 million in flood damages filed by strata owners at 2461 and 2455 Bellevue Avenue, who say the district failed to maintain its drainage system despite knowing the risk.
The suit stems from the atmospheric river that struck the North Shore on October 19, 2024. The properties sit at the base of a hill immediately downstream from a district culvert on Marr Creek. During the storm, the stormwater system became blocked, sending water, mud, silt, gravel, and debris overland along Bellevue Avenue and into the buildings' parkade. The floodwater and debris fully submerged the electrical room and elevator infrastructure.
The strata argues the district should have been better prepared. A similar flood occurred in 2018 at the same location. "The district was advised at the time of this flood and took no, or inadequate, measures to address these risks and issues," the claim states. The strata alleges the district designed the system with insufficient hydraulic capacity, failed to provide adequate overland flow routes, did not conduct adequate inspections, did not keep the watercourse channel free of debris, and failed to respond promptly once the storm began.
The claim accuses the district of gross negligence and breach of its duty of care. "It was foreseeable to the district that failure to take reasonable care in the planning, design, construction, installation, maintenance, repair, management and monitoring of the drainage system, including the culvert, this system could be overwhelmed or overflow during rainfall, exposing nearby property owners to a risk of flooding and property damage."
The strata's costs include emergency remediation, consulting and engineering fees, property damage repairs, and building management expenses. The district has not yet filed a response to the claim. A spokesperson declined to comment while the matter is before the courts. The notice of civil claim was filed in B.C. Supreme Court on October 16 — three days before the two-year statute of limitations deadline for civil matters in B.C.
At a glance
Where did the atmospheric river flood damage occur?
The flooding affected two strata properties at 2461 and 2455 Bellevue Avenue in West Vancouver, located at the base of a hill immediately downstream from a district culvert on Marr Creek.
When was the atmospheric river that caused the damage?
The atmospheric river struck the North Shore on October 19, 2024, sending water, mud, silt, gravel, and debris into the buildings' parkade and fully submerging electrical and elevator infrastructure.
What amount are the strata owners suing for?
West Vancouver faces a civil claim for $1.5 million in flood damages filed by strata owners seeking compensation for emergency remediation, consulting and engineering fees, property damage repairs, and building management expenses.
