The City of Abbotsford is cautiously optimistic about the current flooding situation that continues to plague the Fraser Valley, especially as significant amounts of rain are expected to fall across the region in the next few days.
An orange rainfall warning is in effect for eastern and western parts of the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and Abbotsford, with 40 to 60 mm forecasted.
“Localized flooding is likely. Some roads may become impassable. Travel delays and/or cancellations are likely. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars,” said Environment Canada.
One of the major positive developments is that the Nooksack River overflow is no longer travelling up into Canada.
The National Water Prediction Service report at North Cedarville projects that the river will experience some slight increases in water levels later today and on Wednesday morning (Dec. 17) before steadily declining throughout the rest of the week. But at no point is it expected to reach the point of flooding again.
However, a flood warning remains in effect for the Sumas and Chilliwack Rivers, while a flood watch is in effect for the Lower Fraser and tributaries, including tributaries around the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon.
Hundreds of Abbotsford residents are also having to deal with power outages on Monday morning as downed wires and high winds have knocked out the power for a large chunk of Sumas Prairie.
“A downed power line has closed Vye Road and Whatcom Road, and drivers are asked to avoid the area and follow traffic controls for their safety,” said the City of Abbotsford.
The outages occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m., with BC Hydro estimating that crews will return power to the area this afternoon.
Commuting throughout the Fraser Valley has become significantly easier since Highway 1 between No. 3 Road and Sumas Way was reopened in both directions on Sunday, but some restrictions still apply to the region.
“Highway 1 is expected to fully reopen eastbound between Whatcom Road and Number 3 Road later today,” said the city.
The Ministry of Transportation announced two precautionary overnight closures of main routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior, in response to the potential for rockfall and debris slides along both routes.
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon between the Hope Junction and Lytton, as well as Highway 99 east of Pemberton, between Mt. Currie and Lillooet, remain closed as of 7 a.m. on Monday.
The City of Abbotsford downgraded evacuation orders for 248 Sumas Prairie properties on Sunday (Dec. 14) but maintained evacuation alerts due to the flood warning and heavy rain.
“Residents on Evacuation Alert should remain prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, should conditions change,” said the City of Abbotsford.
Evacuation orders remain in place for 75 properties, and 410 properties remain under Evacuation Alert, the city said.
Castle Fun Park and Clarion Hotel were among the most recent places to be downgraded to alert status.
An interactive map allows residents to search the status of all properties in the evacuation area by address, indicating whether they are under order or alert.
City of Chilliwack said there will be single-lane alternating traffic on Keith Wilson Road from Boundary Road to Chadsey Road from 9:30 am to 4:30 p.m. today due to urgent work to dislodge debris from the Keith Wilson Bridge because of the recent weather event.
The B.C. Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness encouraged residents to have an emergency plan, avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert to changing conditions.
The FVRD Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) continues to operate, with staff responding and working with partner agencies to address a variety of issues throughout the region.
“Residents are reminded to stay away from high-risk areas, such as landslides, dikes, and flooded areas. Not only are the dangers in these areas extremely high, but when residents enter these areas, it puts everyone at risk, including our first responders,” FVRD said.
The Evacuation order and alert for the area of Electoral Area E – Wilson Road issued on Dec. 10 is still in effect, FVRD said on Sunday.
Sandbags are available for impacted residents at the Chilliwack River Valley Firehall, at the Hunter Creek Exit in Laidlaw, and behind the Sasquatch Inn in Harrison Mills.