Floodwaters cross into Abbotsford and Evacuation Orders expanded

As floodwaters from the Nooksack River have now started crossing into Abbotsford, the City of Abbotsford has issued new Evacuation Orders for 82 properties in Huntingdon Village, up to 2nd Ave. and Sumas Way. An Evacuation Order remains in place for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West and Evacuation Alerts remain in place for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie East and West. The Evacuation Alert for Clayburn Village has been lifted. Residents are reminded to stay away from waterways and to avoid driving across water-covered roads or bridges.

The Emergency Operations Centre remained operational overnight to continue monitoring flood conditions, water gauges and new information provided by Whatcom County and the Province of BC. The River Forecast at North Cedarville shows the Nooksack River reached major flood stage and peaked at the gauge at 3 a.m. today. Based on the latest data, this flooding event is tracking similarly to the 1990 flood, which was a lesser event than 2021.

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 were out throughout the night knocking on doors and advising residents with Evacuation Orders.

A total of 15 families spent the night at the Reception Centre at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road). The Reception Centre will remain open to provide immediate shelter and assistance for residents impacted by these orders. We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.

Farmers have been working through the night to remove livestock from the area. A total of 165 farming operations with livestock are currently in the evacuation area, 66 of those under Evacuation Order. We recognize the stress these farmers are under and remind dairy and poultry producers to reach out to their industry association and Ministry of Agriculture and Foods ( [email protected] ) for available support.

Crews are currently responding to a landslide on the south-east corner of Sumas Prairie, which is currently impacting one property as well as the SRY rail line.

The Sumas Canada/U.S.A. border remains closed for US-bound traffic and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit continues to monitor the highways and will provide updates.

We are aware that an old evacuation order from 2021 is circulating online, which is causing undue panic and concern for many residents. All current evacuation alerts, orders and notices, as well as all the latest available information is posted on our website at www.abbotsford.ca . The website is kept up to date and residents are advised to check the site to confirm whether notices they might see online are accurate or current.

Sand and sandbags are available at Albert Dyck Park at 31515 Walmsley Avenue (please bring your own shovel).

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. 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: [email protected]

Evacuation Area Map