Abbotsford lifts evacuation order for part of Sumas Prairie, announces return home plan
The City of Abbotsford is lifting evacuation orders for residents of part of Sumas Prairie.
Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun provided details on the city's "return home plan" for Sumas Prairie residents Friday afternoon.
The plan divides the prairie into four regions: South, Central, Lake Bottom, and North. Information for residents of each region can be found on the city's website, according to the mayor.
Residents of the North section will be able to return home immediately, though it's possible their homes will not be habitable, Braun said.
"With the lifting of this order, we are asking everyone to exercise extreme caution as they make their way through this newly opened area, especially over the next few days as we have snow in our forecast," he said.
"Our objective is to make sure as many people as possible can return home safely, while not being held up by areas that may not be accessible due to unsafe conditions," Braun added.
The mayor explained that floodwaters are still coming across the U.S. border and draining through the Sumas River out the Barrowtown Pump Station floodgates.
He said the northern part of the prairie is the first to see the evacuation order lifted because it's "relatively dry," with water in that area receding south into the former Sumas Lake bottom.
Braun became emotional as he announced the lifting of the evacuation order. Asked to explain how it felt to be delivering the news, he talked about the devastation caused by the storm that struck in mid-November.
"I watched people's hearts break," he said, holding back tears. "Some lost everything … I have friends up there. I'm glad to see them go back."
The mayor said the Central and South sections of the Prairie will likely be the next to see evacuation orders lifted, but that can't happen until floodwater stops coming over the border.
The Lake Bottom section will be the last to drain and therefore the last to reopen, Braun said. That area is the centre of the former Sumas Lake, which was drained in the early 20th century to create the Sumas Prairie.
As of Thursday, floodwaters in the Lake Bottom area were still nearly two metres deep, according to Braun.
He said water had receded by roughly 30 centimetres over the last 24 hours, as the pump station continues to work around the clock to drain the prairie.
Residents returning home will find placards on their doors reflecting the city's "rapid damage assessment" of their buildings - including dwellings, barns and other structures.
Green placards mean that re-entry is permitted, yellow ones mean access is restricted subject to various conditions (which will be noted on the placard), and red ones mean do not enter without authorization from the appropriate authorities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.