The Emergency Department at Mission Memorial Hospital, a crucial healthcare facility in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, has been temporarily closed due to a flood caused by burst water pipes during a cold snap. This incident occurred late Saturday and resulted in Fraser Health, the healthcare authority in the region, redirecting patients to other hospitals while the department remains inaccessible for an unspecified period of time for damage assessment and repairs.
Redirecting Emergency Services
As of Sunday morning, emergency services at Mission Memorial Hospital have been suspended. Patients requiring urgent medical attention have been advised to seek care at nearby hospitals in Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Langley, and Chilliwack. Fraser Health has confirmed that only the emergency department was affected by the flood, ensuring that patient care in other areas of the hospital remains unaffected.
Effects of the Cold Snap
Established in 1965 and located approximately 60 km east of Vancouver, Mission Memorial Hospital has been a vital healthcare facility in the region. The current extreme cold wave, which has prompted Environment Canada to issue an Arctic outflow warning, is expected to continue throughout the coming week, with wind chills potentially dropping to as low as -20 C.
Similar Incident at Royal Inland Hospital
A separate incident occurred at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, where a malfunctioning heater in the emergency room waiting area caused indoor temperatures to reach as low as -6 C on Saturday. This further highlights the challenges posed by the severe cold and its potential impact on critical infrastructure.
