First group of Canadian Armed Forces personnel arrives in B.C.

The first group of Canadian Armed Forces personnel has arrived in British Columbia to assist with flooding and landslide rescues and recovery.

A statement from the Canadian Joint Operations Command Centre says nine members from Edmonton's Third Canadian Division Immediate Response Unit are now in the province to plan and co-ordinate ongoing relief efforts.

The statement says the exact size of the expected contingent isn't yet available but it says armed forces members have been ``identified and placed on high readiness to respond.''

A Hercules aircraft arrived in Edmonton last night and is staging for departure to B.C., joining a Griffon helicopter that will also come from Edmonton and a Cyclone helicopter from CFB Esquimalt on Vancouver Island.

RCAF Operations on Twitter:

Members of @RCAF_ARC 408 Tactical Helicopter Sqn are en route from Edmonton to assist with #BCfloods relief effort, conducting reconnaissance of impacted areas in interior BC.