The City of Abbotsford has declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued an evacuation order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to risk of flooding. Residents in the affected area must leave immediately. Evacuation Alerts have also been issued for Sumas Prairie East and remain in place for the rest of Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village.
This direction follows extensive conversations with the Province of BC and Whatcom County and is based on the best modelling data available at this time, which predicts the Nooksack River to crest near the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s major flood stage. Flood water is expected to arrive at the border in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11).
An interactive map showing the active evacuation alerts and orders is available on the City’s website. Residents can use the search function to confirm whether their property is impacted. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department and others are in the evacuation area advising properties impacted by the order to ensure they are informed and are supporting the evacuation.
A Reception Centre has been established at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road) to provide immediate shelter and assistance for residents impacted by these orders. We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.
What you should do if you need to evacuate:
• Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation.
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available.
• Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
• Follow main roads out of the evacuation area and register at the Reception Centre at Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road).
Farmers under Evacuation Order who are concerned about their livestock can reach out to their Industry associations for support as they are in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture.
At 7:15 p.m. this evening, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued a travel advisory for the Fraser Valley asking people to avoid unnecessary travel and advising that Highway 1 and other provincial roadways could be closed with little or no notice. Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing is currently closed to commercial traffic, allowing local traffic only.
Staff at the Emergency Operations Centre continue to actively monitor river levels, dikes and road conditions closely. Crews are out in the community clearing catch basins and monitoring local conditions. If you notice a clogged storm drain, localized flooding, flooding roadways or overflowing ditches, please report it by calling 604-853-5485 during the day or 604-864-5552 after hours, or by using the Abbotsford app.
The City of Abbotsford will continue to provide updates to residents at www.abbotsford.ca and on City social media channels. Road closure information can be found at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures.
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca