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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.