Flood victims in B.C.'s Sumas Prairie now dealing with looters
As Abbotsford, B.C., lifts more evacuation orders for properties in Sumas Prairie, some residents who are starting to return home are finding not only are their belongings destroyed, but also stolen.
Kelsey Mostertman took CTV News Vancouver on a tour of Ripples Estate Winery on Monday. What was once a rustic chic venue, now looks like a war zone, covered in leftover flood waters and mud.
“With everything we’ve lost, we just can’t stomach anymore at this point,” Mostertman said.
The property is also a well-known barn-themed wedding venue, a palm plant nursery and a distillery.
The Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford experienced some of the most severe and prolonged impact after the first round of B.C.’s atmospheric river last month. Mostertman told CTV News water levels were nearly six-feet high. Many of their items were either destroyed or floated away, including 40 wine barrels.
“We managed to locate about ten of them along Tolmie Rd the other day but as you can see, we are pretty busy dealing with the devastation on our property, we didn’t have time to pick everything up,” said Mostertman.
She was shocked to find all the valuable items they left behind on the side of the road were gone the next morning.
“It’s kind of become a free-for-all for people picking up whatever they can find,” Mostertman said.
Mostertman first made her remarks on social media. Her post has now been shared by almost 400 Facebook users.
She fears as more road barricades are removed, the looting will only increase.
The City of Abbotsford said crews have been clearing debris along flood-stricken roads in Sumas Prairie. However, Mostertman believes the city would not pick up valuable items and leave trash behind.
“We are trying to deal with the devastation on our property and we shouldn’t have to fend off the last of our belongings,” said Mostertman.
When Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun was made aware of the alleged looting, he said it was news to him.
“I have not heard of this,” said Braun. “There are some police barriers that have been stolen, which has been an issue … I will be heading back to the emergency operations centre to let police know this is happening.”
More evacuation orders in Sumas Prairie are expected to be lifted in the coming days. As residents begin to assess the damage and rebuild, the message is clear from residents and officials: if you don’t need to be in the area, please stay away.
“We’ve had enough," added Mostertman. "We just want time to grieve without all of this traffic coming through."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING 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.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.