Flood Response

Long-Term Flood Mitigation

• Preferred Option

  Based on community feedback and additional technical analysis, the Preferred Option is a hybrid concept, combining some of the key infrastructure enhancements and flood-mitigation concepts originally identified in draft long-term flood mitigation options presented for public engagement in spring of 2022. 

  Through the engagement period, City staff learned the top three priorities for Abbotsford participants were avoiding damage to buildings, barns and other infrastructure, preserving existing and for agriculture and food security and maximizing opportunities for agriculture. Common key themes from community feedback included the desire to meet provincial standards for flood mitigation, plan for the long-term and prepare for more regular flooding events, address the issues to avoid repeating past events, protect future generations and future investments and reduce potential impacts on homes, farms, businesses and transportation routes. 

  The intent of this new hybrid option is to enhance the City’s existing flood protection system while maximizing agricultural land and food security, and minimizing the number of impacted properties. This option will meet minimum flood protection guidelines in B.C. and incorporate enhancements such as dike setbacks and floodway creation and provides a high level of overall protection. The level of protection offered by this option to Sumas Prairie Lake Bottom is up to a one in 200-year event (with climate change considerations). 

• Next Steps

  In June 2022, City Council approved a flood mitigation option for Sumas Prairie and supported recommendations to prepare a funding submission to the Province of BC. This multi-phased option starts with building a Sumas River Pump Station. The new Sumas River Pump Station will address impacts in the event the City is unable to open the flood boxes, which is what occurred in November and also occurs during spring Freshet. Throughout the public engagement sessions the addition of a new Sumas River Pump Station was consistently stated as needed and desired.

  The next steps toward project implementation include creating a more detailed plan to articulate the specifics of the scope of work, including where infrastructure will be built, as well as ongoing engagement with First Nations, residents, businesses and stakeholders. The plan for this new preferred option will be used to inform funding discussions with senior levels of government.  

• Long-term Flood Mitigation Updates and Process

  • 2022-06-13 Council Supports Sumas Prairie Long-term Flood Mitigation
  • Preferred Option
  • Engagement Summary
  • Council Presentation on Preferred Option

  More information on the four draft options and the public engagement program can be found at www.letstalkabbotsford/abbotsfordfloodresponse

Recovery Progress and Updates

• News Releases, Bulletins and Updates

  November 17, 2022: Flood Recovery Update to the Community: Message from Mayor Siemens, infrastructure and repair updates, preferred option summary.  View the full Abbotsford News edition of The Flood: One Year Later.
  October 24, 2022. Recovery Update to the Community: Message from Mayor Braun, updates on infrastructure repairs, sediment removal, and status of the dikes.
  July 8, 2022 - During the flooding, the City installed a debris boom across the Sumas Canal to protect the pumps in the Barrowtown Pump Station from being damaged or plugged. Last week, five large loads of debris, collected by the boom, were removed from the Canal and disposed of. The boom has now also been removed and debris removal was completed June 30th, 2022. View the photos here.
  June 24, 2022 - Recovery Update to the Community: Message from Mayor Braun, updates on infrastructure repairs and the flood mitigation preferred concept.
  June 13, 2022 - Council supports Sumas Prairie long-term flood mitigation
  June 10, 2022 - Sumas Prairie flood mitigation preferred option to be presented to Council following community feedback
  May 31, 2022 - View the photos showing the repairs to one of the City’s 12 bank stabilization sites in Sumas Prairie.  Repairs to all Sumas Prairie bank stabilization sites were completed by May 27, 2022.
  May 16, 2022 - Recovery Update to Community: Message from Mayor Braun, updates on site repairs and the Mayor's Thank You to the Community.
  April 27, 2022 - View the photos showing the repair work at one of the City’s 21 landslide sites, on Cranberry Court. The temporary repairs were completed on November 22, 2021. The City is awaiting approvals for the permanent repairs.
  April 8, 2022 - Recovery Update to Community: Message from Mayor Braun, updates on parks and repairs to date.
  April 5, 2022 - View the photos showing the repair work at one of the City's 84 damaged road sites, on Straiton Road, near Willet Road.  Repairs were completed on February 23, 2022.
  April 1, 2022 - Sumas Prairie Flood Mitigation Options to be Presented to Council.
  March 22, 2022 - View the photos showing the repair work and road relocation at one of the City’s 21 landslide sites, on Sumas Mountain Road, 400 metres north of Carlyle Road. Repairs were completed on February 23, 2022.
  March 16, 2022 - View the photos showing the restoration work on the playground at Delair Park, one of the City’s 19 damaged parks and trails. The playground restorations, including sanitation, were completed on March 3, 2022.
  March 10, 2022 - View the before and after photos of the temporary bridge replacement at Lakemount Road, the site of one of the City’s 13 damaged bridges. The temporary bridge replacement was completed on January 26, 2022.
  March 4, 2022 - View the photos of the repair work at one of the City’s 21 landslide sites, on Sumas Mountain Road at Cox Quarry. Repairs were completed on December 11, 2021.
  March 2, 2022 - Recovery Update to Community: Message from Mayor, Infrastructure Updates and Repairs to Date
  February 28, 2022 - Recovery Plan Update - Presentation to Council: Presentation to Council from General Manager of Recovery
  February 1, 2022 - Message from Mayor Braun for Abbotsford Residents

Flood Recovery Resources

• Recovery Services from Red Cross

  The Canadian Red Cross is continuing to provide personalized recovery supports for people from eligible households that were impacted by the November 2021 flooding and extreme weather event. The Red Cross will continue to contribute to the cost of temporary, including commercial accommodations for individuals and families impacted by the floods to allow for the time they need to find longer-term housing options that meet their needs

  The Red Cross is also providing housing repair and reconstruction support for people whose homes were damaged. Eligible homeowners may receive financial support to help meet their immediate needs, clean up their property and/or assistance with expenses related to repair or rebuilding of their home, or relocation. 

  The Red Cross encourages you to stay in regular contact with your case manager. If you have immediate needs related to temporary and longer-term housing, please reach out to the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 from Monday to Friday (closed weekends and Statutory holidays) between 9am - 4pm to request an appointment with a case manager.

  Flood Recovery Assistance

• Canadian Red Cross Location

  The Canadian Red Cross is providing personalized recovery, accommodation, and repair and reconstruction supports to anyone impacted by the 2021 flooding and extreme weather event. Red Cross will work directly with people to discuss their unique needs and help them navigate their recovery journey and access available supports. To register for personalized recovery supports, contact the Red Cross by:

  • Phone:  1-800-863-6582
  • Email: bcfloodrecovery@redcross.ca 
  • In-person: 
    • Old Abbotsford Courthouse located at 32315 South Frazer Way in Abbotsford
    • Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm (Closed Saturday and Sunday)

   

• I have insurance for my property. What should I do?

  • For insurance purposes, it is very important that you document everything you can from the event. List and photograph all damaged or destroyed items.
  • If possible, assemble proofs of purchase, photos, receipts, and warranties.
  • Take photos of the damage.
  • Keep all receipts related to clean up and living expenses if you’ve been displaced.
  • Ask your insurance representative about what expenses you may be entitled to and for how long. 

  For more information on insurance, contact your insurance provider or broker directly or contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422 or 1-844-2ask-IBC  

• I don’t have insurance for my property, what do I do?

  • If you don’t have insurance, you may still be eligible to get assistance to help you recover.
  • The Provincial and Federal Governments are committed to help affected residents. More information on assistance will be released as it becomes available.
  • For information on the eligibility for available Disaster Financial Assistance and steps to apply, visit the Province of BC.

  Important Details to Note for Disaster Financial Assistance:

  • Homeowners must check with their insurer to see if their policy will cover the damages related to flooding.
  • The applicant’s insurer will be asked to provide a letter indicating that the applicant could not have purchased insurance to cover these disaster-related losses
  • Residents have 90 days to apply for financial assistance, and the deadline for this event is March 3, 2022.

  Disaster Financial Assistance

• Which organizations are offering support for flood impacted residents?

  Several organizations have stepped up to help residents through these difficult times, these include:

  • ServiceBC - 1-833-376-2452
    • The province has set up a ServiceBC Contact Centre line, where people can speak with an agent and get information related to floods, seven days a week. 
  • EmergencyInfoBC 
    • EmergencyInfoBC provides detailed information during provincial emergencies, sharing official response and recovery resources, as well as verified event information from trusted partners. 
  • 211 BC province-wide flood resource
  • Mennonite Disaster Service 1-866-261-1274
  • Canadian Red Cross: 1-800-863-6582 
    • Red Cross is helping people get $2000 per household to help with expenses. Please visit the Red Cross at the Return Home Centre located (as of February 1, 2022) at the old courthouse building next to City Hall on South Fraser Way. Hours of operation are Friday to Tuesday, 9am-4pm. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
  • Archway Community Services: 604-859-7681
  • Disaster Financial Assistance
• I lost my source of income due to the floods, what do I do now?

  • Financial aid may be available through Provincial and Federal governments. For more information on the eligibility for available assistance and steps to apply, visit the Province of BC.

• I’m feeling stressed or anxious, who can I talk to?

  Multiple Crisis lines are available to listen and help at any time. If you need to talk to someone. 

  • Contact BC Mental Health Support Line, available 24 hours a day at 310-6789 OR Fraser Health Crisis line at 604-951-8855.
  • If you have children or young family members who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, Text TALK to 686868
  • Visit www.fnha.ca or call the KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line at 1-800- 588-8717 for Counseling through the First Nations Health Authority.
  • If you are a farmer or work in the agriculture industry, AgSafe BC has specific resources available to you.   

• Is there a process to follow for repairing and rebuilding?

  To give direction as to the proper order to proceed with Recovery Repair process, view the Recovery Process Repairs Worksheet. This will help prevent unnecessary work for yourself as you through this process.

• Who can I contact for further inspections of my buildings/property?

  • If you received a yellow or a red placard on your building, please refer to the notes on the placard for information on what systems may be damaged and which specialists to contact. 
  • If you are removing the insulation and vapour barrier from your home’s exterior walls, a building permit with follow up inspections will be needed. For additional information please visit Flood Restoration Permits page.
  • Be aware that as you start cleaning your building, you may encounter further damage. Prior to moving back into your building, you should conduct all necessary inspections and repairs, to ensure your property is safe.

  Recovery Process for Repairs Worksheet

• Do I need a building permit for restoration work on my building?

  For information on whether you need a building permit and how to go about getting one, please visit our Flood Restoration Permits page. 

• Rescinded Alerts and Orders

  Recent Rescinded Alerts/Orders

  • 36650 Lower Sumas Mtn. Road and the South side of 36598 Florence Dr

  • All of Sumas Prairie Evacuation Orders and Alerts have now been rescinded.

  • 2904 Glencoe Place, Units A, B, C, D, E and F has been rescinded as of March 23, 2022.

• Declaration of State of Local Emergency

  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires August 15, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires August 8, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires August 1, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires July 25, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires July 18, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires July 11, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires July 4, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires June 27, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires June 20, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires June 13, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires June 6, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires May 20, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires May 23, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires May 16, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires May 9, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires April 25, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires April 18, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency  - extension - expires April 11, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires April 4, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires March 28, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires March 14, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires March 7, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires February 28, 2021
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires February 21, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires February 14, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires February 7, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires January 31, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires January 24, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires January 17, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires January 10, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires January 3, 2022
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires December 27, 2021
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires December 20, 2021
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires December 6, 2021
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - extension - expires November 29, 2021
  • Declaration of State of Local Emergency - expires November 22, 2021