Many pathways across the border from Albania had been dynamited and rendered impassable.
All stairwells and elevators from the 92nd floor up were rendered impassable, trapping 1,344 people.
The nearest larger school lies 40 miles down a gravel road that blizzards often render impassable.
A local news helicopter shows Vancouver's freeways and bridges rendered impassable.
Additionally, most city streets were rendered impassable and several other important roadways were closed for hours.
Telephone lines in the city were suspended and highways were rendered impassable by the floods.
Major roads were rendered impassable because of huge flood currents and clogged cars.
In addition, power and telephone lines have been downed, and many roads were rendered impassable.
The crossing at Wire Pool was at a record level and all surrounding road were rendered impassable.
The upper elevations of the road are rendered impassable by heavy snowfall during much of winter.