As a City Council, we are continually inspired by the resilience and unity our community demonstrates during times of adversity.
This month, 485 properties were placed under Evacuation Order and 1,069 under Evacuation Alert as once again, the Nooksack River in Washington State overflowed its banks, sending floodwaters across the border and into Sumas Prairie. This resulted in families being displaced, property getting damaged, farm animals being lost and a vital section of our Province’s key transportation corridor, Highway 1 getting shut down.
It was certainly a stressful and challenging time, but throughout it all we’ve been moved by the incredible compassion and generosity shown by our community. Farmers, neighbours, service groups, non-profits and local businesses all lent a hand any way they could to help those impacted by the flood. Thank you for stepping up and once again showing the rest of the country what Abbotsford is made of.
We are also grateful to all staff involved in responding to this emergency, keeping our residents safe and working to get them home as soon as possible.
While the immediate threat has passed, we’re not out of the woods yet. Now we rebuild. Again.
To help ease the financial burden on those most affected by the flood and help them get their homes, farms, and businesses fixed up as soon as possible, City Council has waived all building permit fees and expedited permit processing for property owners in the former Evacuation Order area of Sumas Prairie.
To help those returning to their homes, farms and businesses, the City has put together a Return Home information page containing additional resources and guidance. Staff in the EOC have also been working with non-profit organizations who are coordinating additional support for impacted residents.
Meanwhile, repairs to South Parallel Road west of Whatcom Road are underway, and this past weekend the City began curbside collection of flood-damaged items and debris in the former evacuation area.
This month’s flood emphasizes our need to continue advocating to senior government for flood mitigation funding, as once again our residents, farms and livestock, provincial food security and provincial economy were needlessly put at risk.
Following the Dec 12 press conference, Mayor Siemens spoke with federal Emergency Management and Community Resilience Minister Eleanor Olszewski, who said there may be grant opportunities in the future. While we appreciate the Minister reaching out, we hope this time the federal government takes our requests seriously, since it was only a year and a half ago that they turned down our application for vital flood mitigation funding.
As well, after visiting Sumas Prairie and Barrowtown Pump Station last week, Premier Eby spoke with the federal Major Projects Office about the critical need for flood mitigation and elevating Highway 1 to a nation-building project, which is promising news for Abbotsford.
Seeing the same farmers impacted twice in just over four years has been heartbreaking. The emotional and financial cost to rebuild is too high. Enough is enough. We need change and we hope this time the federal government will take action and provide the much-needed support promised in 2021.
Perhaps what makes this year’s flooding even more difficult is the disruptive effect it’s having on the holiday season. It saddens us that Christmas will look different for those most impacted by the flood, but we hope that they feel the warm embrace of our supportive community.
As we gather with friends and family over the holidays, let’s also think of those who are struggling and do what we can to make them feel less alone. After all, now is the time of year to bring light to the darkness in our world.
With that we wish you all a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a healthy, resilient and Happy New Year.
Abbotsford City Council