The City of Abbotsford has lifted existing Evacuation Alerts for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie West and Sumas Prairie East. In addition, a total of 160 properties have been downgraded from an Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. This includes most properties in the western portion of the Evacuation Order area up to Angus Campbell Road, including Huntingdon Village, as well as some properties north of Hwy 1. Evacuation Orders remain in place for 325 properties throughout Sumas Prairie.
The interactive map has been updated to show exactly which properties remain under an Evacuation Order or downgraded to an Evacuation Alert. The map is searchable by address.
Rapid Damage Assessments were done on homes observed to be impacted by the floodwaters in the lifted Evacuation Order area by City of Abbotsford staff and Canada Task Force 1 to ensure that people returning home can do so safely. Rapid Damage Assessments advise whether or not the structure of a home is safe to re-enter or if additional work is required before it is safe to do so. Homes that required assessment have a placard to advise them of their assessment results and where to call for additional support should it be required. Placard categories include:
- Green: Re-entry permitted, at your discretion, if the building is not located within an Evacuation Order area.
- Yellow: Access is restricted subject to varying conditions. Further information is provided on the placard.
- Red: Do not enter the building unless authorization has been granted by the appropriate authorities.
Of the properties downgraded from an Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert that required a Rapid Damage Assessment, 32 homes were assessed as green, 1 home was assessed as yellow and no homes were assessed as red. Only the outer structure of homes were assessed, not the inside or other buildings on the property, such as sheds or barns. Upon returning home, residents may want to have their home and other structures further assessed with support of their insurer.
To support residents, the City of Abbotsford has launched our Return Home information page at www.abbotsford.ca/returnhome. This page has been structured with residents’ continued safety in mind as they return to their homes and businesses in the days to come. Information on the webpage is meant to provide information and guidance to residents in the days following their return home as they turn to agencies, insurers and other levels of government for support. Residents returning home can email floodrecovery@abbotsford.ca with general flood recovery inquiries and call 604-504-4049 with building assessment inquiries.
The Emergency Operations Centre remains active and staff will continue closely monitoring river levels, dikes, and roads. We also continue to closely monitor upcoming weather conditions as more rain is predicted in the coming week. If subsequent evacuation is necessary, a new alert or order will be issued.
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