Evacuation order lifted for 400 properties in Abbotsford, B.C., as flood cleanup continues
Hundreds more flood evacuees are being allowed to return home to the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford, B.C., as the city continues cleaning up from last month's catastrophic flooding.
Mayor Henry Braun announced Wednesday that rapid damage assessments have been completed for houses, barns and garages in the southern Sumas Prairie, allowing officials to lift an evacuation order for 400 properties.
"Ensuring the safety of our residents is our priority," Braun said.
About 200 homes still remain under evacuation order.
Officials said people living in the Lake Bottom area of Sumas Prairie – the last remaining area with floodwaters – could be able to return home in the coming days.
Water levels in Lake Bottom have decreased by about 50 centimetres over the last two days, Braun said.
"We have also made good progress in conducting road, bridge and culvert rapid damage assessments, which supports us safely getting people back to their properties in the near future," the mayor added.
With restoration work underway, the city is setting up a transfer station at Riverside Road near McConnell Road for mixed waste, bagged drywall and mattresses damaged during the floods.
Abbotsford also started a water disinfectant process for the Sumas Prairie area on Tuesday, and officials said recently returned evacuees may notice a "chlorine odour."
"This should be minimal as the 'Do Not Use' water advisory which allows for flushing only remains in place," Braun said.
A second potable water station is also being set up at Whatcom and Vye roads on Thursday. It will have the same hours as the first one at No. 2 Road and Boundary Road, which is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.