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As Highway 99 remains closed, the broader conversation has turned to preparedness and prevention. While it is impossible to eliminate all natural risks, officials and experts stress the importance of early warning systems, regular geological surveys, and public awareness. In regions where nature’s power is ever-present, vigilance can mean the difference between inconvenience and catastrophe.
The mudslide near Lillooet will be remembered not just as a natural disaster, but as a human tragedy. Four lives were lost, one remains unaccounted for, and countless others have been affected—families, friends, responders, and an entire community left grappling with sudden loss.
For now, the highway stands silent, blocked by earth and rock, marking the place where ordinary lives intersected with extraordinary force. And as officials work toward restoring safety, the focus remains on honoring those lost and supporting those left behind, ensuring they are not reduced to statistics, but remembered as lives that mattered.