Abbotsford lifts evacuation order for part of Sumas Prairie as floodwaters recede
The City of Abbotsford is lifting an evacuation order for some residents of the Sumas Prairie that was ravaged by floodwaters after a record rainfall event last month.
In an update on the city's "return home plan" Monday, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said an evacuation order for the prairie's Central region is being lifted, effective immediately.
The City of Abbotsford says the Central area has just over 200 properties.
"For the Central area, we've completed all rapid damage assessments of structures, including houses, barns, garages and even gazebos," Braun said.
He adds that to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, those travelling in and out of the Central section must access the area by Cole Road.
The Sumas Prairie is divided into four regions: Central, South, Lake Bottom and North.
The evacuation order for the North section was rescinded on Friday. Evacuation orders for both the South and Lake Bottom areas remain in effect.
The City of Abbotsford also announced it is extending its local state of emergency for another week.
But Braun remains optimistic after seeing floodwaters recede in some areas.
"Over the weekend we saw a 70 inch drop in the water level in the Sumas Prairie's Lake Bottom, which is nearly six feet or 1.85 metres, including 20 inches in just the last 24 hours," said Braun. "Despite this progress, it will still be some time before that area becomes accessible again."
Braun said many fields in the Sumas Prairie are still under about four to five feet of water. He urges everyone to follow evacuation orders and stay out of areas that are not open yet.
"No one knows what may be just underneath the floodwaters. Even once we are able to clear the water from this area, there will be lots of work that needs to be done before we can begin to rebuild."
Braun said full recovery is still a while away and the city is nowhere near being ready for another major storm.
"The flooding event of three weeks ago was a perfect storm with multiple conditions coming together to create the one in 100 year event that consumed the Sumas Prairie. I'm not sure that we will have another 100 years before we face a weather event that is similar or worse. And we are not prepared for that today."
Braun said more work will need to be done to ensure the devastating weather event isn't repeated.
"This work requires the support of the federal and provincial governments to ensure we can upgrade our dikes to current standards in order to protect our community and the economic viability of our region."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.