'They saved my life': North Vancouver woman rescued from Scott-Goldie Creek after being swept in during Friday storm

Brittany Craig was fixing a waterline near Scott-Goldie Creek in the Woodlands area of North Vancouver District on the morning of November 7 when the creek swept her off her feet.

The North Shore News reported that Craig was working on a waterline that runs from the creek to her property on Sasamat Lane, north of Deep Cove, when heavy rain caused the water to rise suddenly. She was swept downstream and over a 10-foot waterfall before she managed to grab a log and hold on. With her phone nearly dead, she called 911.

District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services received the call around 1 p.m. The North Shore News reported that Craig's phone transmitted a GPS ping that gave crews her exact location. That signal brought them to her quickly through the dense forest.

How the rescue unfolded

When crews reached the bank above Craig, she was pinned in the creek, unable to get out on her own. Firefighters lowered a rescuer on a rope. Once the crew member reached her, the team gave Craig a blanket, heat packs and water shoes before pulling her to safety.

Fire Chief Mike Danks told the North Shore News the outcome was not certain. "It could have gone the other way very quickly," Danks said.

The Globe and Mail reported on the same rescue the following day. Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Cappellini told that paper the operation was treacherous but went well, and that a tree fell near crew members during the rescue.

Craig spoke to the North Shore News afterward. "I'm super grateful that they came out there and rescued me," she told the paper. She said she plans to take swiftwater awareness courses to be better prepared near fast-moving water.

What drove the creek so high

Environment Canada had issued a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver's North Shore that Friday. The North Shore News reported that 80 mm or more of rain fell at higher elevations, including the North Shore mountains, during the storm. Scott-Goldie Creek drains the slopes above Deep Cove. During heavy rain, it and the other creeks that run through Lynn Valley, Capilano Canyon and the lower slopes of Mount Seymour can rise in minutes.

The storm that struck on November 7 was part of a sequence of wet systems. BC Hydro reported that nearly 415,000 customers across British Columbia lost power during the storms of November 7 and 8. The utility had restored power to 99 per cent of affected customers by November 9.

Environment Canada then issued a second heavy rainfall warning for the North Shore on November 9, with 60 to 100 mm of rain forecast from Tuesday morning through Wednesday night and totals near 120 mm possible at higher elevations.

Safety warning from the fire chief

Chief Danks used the rescue to warn the public about the risk that storm-swollen creeks pose.

He told the North Shore News that fast-moving water is dangerous for people and animals. He said residents should keep children a safe distance from creeks and rivers when rain is heavy. On pets, he said to keep dogs on a leash near waterways. The North Shore News reported him saying that creek currents are strong enough to endanger animals even if they are strong swimmers.

Environment Canada's warnings for the North Shore name three risks alongside high rainfall: water pooling on roads and low-lying areas, reduced visibility, and landslides on steep slopes or in areas with recently disturbed ground. The District of North Vancouver has a landslide and steep-slope warning system for communities including the Woodlands area, where the November 7 rescue took place. Residents who see signs of slope movement, water flowing across surfaces that do not normally run, or new cracks in the ground are asked to contact the District.

A promise to track in the new term

Councillor Jordan Back made a specific pledge during the 2026 campaign to strengthen the District's resilience to wildfire, flooding, extreme heat and storms. The commitment includes implementing the lessons from the District's 2024 atmospheric river review, with a focus on stormwater systems, drainage and creek infrastructure. That promise is tracked at /bc/north-vancouver-district-2026/candidates/jordan-back.

The inaugural term for the new District council began on November 2, 2026. The next Regular Council meeting is Monday, November 16 at 7 p.m. at District Hall, 355 West Queens Road.

What to do now

Residents who live near creeks in the District can take these steps during heavy rain warnings:

• Stay back from waterways: District Fire and Rescue Chief Danks said to keep a safe distance from fast-moving water. Creeks in the Woodlands, Lynn Valley and Deep Cove areas can rise in minutes during a rainfall warning.
• Keep pets on a leash: Danks warned that creek currents are strong enough to endanger animals. Keep dogs leashed and away from creek banks during and after heavy rain.
• Clear drains near your property: The North Shore Local has previously advised residents to clear fallen leaves from storm drains before heavy rain to prevent water from pooling on roads and backing up into basements.
• Monitor weather alerts: Environment Canada posts active warnings for North Vancouver District at weather.gc.ca. New warnings for landslide-prone areas, including the Woodlands, are posted there when they are issued.
• Report hazards to the District: If you see signs of slope movement near your property or on roads in the District, the District asks you to report it. Contact information is on the District's website at dnv.org.

If you are ever near a creek during a storm and feel unsafe, call 911. District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue runs rope rescues in the steep terrain above Deep Cove and in the creek corridors throughout the District.