Rain battered Canada’s Pacific coast, forcing a town’s evacuation and trapping motorists as mudslides, rocks and debris were washed across major highways. Over 275 people were stuck overnight in their cars between two mudslides near the town of Agassiz in British Columbia.

Heavy rain disrupts Canada.

This was said by the province’s safety minister, Mike Farnworth. Mike Farnworth said “We are looking at the possibility of air rescues, if needed,” he told a news conference, adding that “high winds may challenge these efforts.”

Farnworth said there had been “multiple rain-induced incidents” in the southwest and central regions of the province, describing the situation as “dynamic.”

According to a statement in the town of Merritt, 290 kilometers (180 miles) east of the coastal city, also ordered all 7,000 of its residents to leave their wastewater treatment plant was compromised and two bridges were washed out.

Emergency centers were set up for displaced residents of both communities.

Environment Canada said up to 250 millimeters (almost 10 inches) of rain was expected by the afternoon in and around Vancouver, which was also hit last week by a rare tornado.

Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan said strong winds gusting up to 90 kilometers per hour (55 miles per hour) could cause widespread power outages.