The City of Abbotsford has downgraded Evacuation Orders for 39 additional properties in Sumas Prairie. These properties remain on Evacuation Alert and should stay prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, should conditions change.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for 36 properties, and 449 properties remain under Evacuation Alert. The interactive map, which is searchable by address, has been updated to show the status of all properties in the evacuation area, indicating whether they are under Order or Alert.
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 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.
Of the properties downgraded from an Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert that required a Rapid Damage Assessment, 292 homes were assessed as green, 16 homes were assessed as yellow and no homes were assessed as red.
Assessments were done on the outer structure of homes only, not the inside or other buildings on the property, such as sheds or barns. Upon returning to their property, residents may want to have their home and other structures further assessed with support of their insurer.
Residents and businesses impacted by the evacuations are encouraged to visit the Return Home information page for resources and guidance to support the return to their properties and as they turn to agencies, insurers and other levels of government for support.
A significant number of roads have been reopened in Sumas Prairie with several others reopening for local traffic only. There are still a number of closures, so drivers are reminded to follow traffic control and avoid the area if possible. A full list of road closures can be found at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures.
Staff in the Emergency Operations Centre and in the field continue to actively monitor river levels, dikes, roads and weather conditions closely.
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