Floodwaters in Sumas Prairie and Huntingdon Village are expected to peak within the next 12 hours. Water levels on the Abbotsford side of the border continue to rise and based on current modelling and data from the 1990 flood event, water is anticipated to reach Highway 1 late this evening or early tomorrow morning.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for 82 properties in Huntingdon Village and 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West. Evacuation Alerts remain in place for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie East and West and residents are encouraged to prepare in case they are required to leave their homes.
Residents are strongly urged to stay out of the evacuation areas, away from floodwater and off all flooded or water-covered roads for their own safety and to ease strain on emergency responders.
The Emergency Operations Centre is continuously monitoring available data and modelling and remains in constant communication with Whatcom County and the Province of BC. While the River Forecast at North Cedarville shows the Nooksack River has peaked and levels are now dropping, overflow waters are still flowing towards Abbotsford.
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 Services, Abbotsford Police Department and others are in the evacuation areas to ensure evacuated properties are aware of the Order and are assisting with the evacuation where needed.
The Reception Centre at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road) will be open until 10 p.m. to provide immediate shelter and assistance for residents impacted by these orders. The Reception Centre will reopen tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours. To date, a total of 116 individuals (53 families) have checked in with the Reception Centre, with 15 families being provided with overnight lodging.
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.
For more information contact:
Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: media@abbotsford.ca