CANADA's major Port of Vancouver has been cut off from the rest of the country by land after days of storms caused flooding and mudslides that blocked major highways and rail lines, reports Bloomberg News.

British Columbia declared a state of emergency after the storm. "These are extraordinary events not measured before, not contemplated before," said Premier John Horgan.

The deluge left the Port of Vancouver stranded without access to trucks and rail cars to get goods in and out of the region.

Said Kamloops resident Stephen Way: "Everyone, realising that all the highways are cut off for the next little while, basically cleared out the grocery stores."

"It's just like the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Everything is gone from toilet paper to fresh produce to meat," said Mr Way.

Grocery chain Sobeys said all shipments in and out of the Vancouver region are on hold due to current road conditions.

Said Mr Horgan: "You do not need 48 eggs, a dozen will do."

It's the second time in less than five months that British Columbia has been paralysed by extreme weather.

More than 1,500 rail cars carrying grain are estimated to be idled in the Vancouver corridor, up from 947 the prior day.