Flooding forces school closures in Chilliwack and Mission, state of emergency declared in FVRD

By Claire Fenton

Posted November 15, 2021 5:38 am.

Last Updated November 16, 2021 12:44 pm.

Due to extensive flooding the Chilliwack School District announced schools would be closed to all students and staff Monday. A district spokesperson says the decision was made under the recommendations of the City of Chilliwack and the RCMP.

Daycares and pre-schools run by the district are also closed.

The Mission School District has also cancelled all classes in that city due to flooding.

https://twitter.com/AngusSD75/status/1460261866245013504

There is no school in Hope Monday due to a personal development day.

Abbotsford schools are open and students are being told to dress for the weather.

On Monday afternoon, the University of the Fraser Valley announced it was cancelling in-person classes for the rest of the day due to severe weather and flooding. Online and remote classes are taking place as scheduled.

Read more: The latest road closures due to flooding, landslides

A landslide in Agassiz has led to concerns for people’s lives in the surrounding area, and as a result, people were told to leave Sunday.

 

Evacuation notices have been delivered to residents in the 6500 block of Rockwell Drive, and residents south of this location are being warned to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

A flood watch warning is in effect for the District of Kent, east of Chilliwack, where a local State of Emergency has been declared. The Fraser Valley Regional District has also declared a State of Local Emergency due to overland flooding and mudslide threats to people and properties within the area. 

Several people have been trapped in their vehicles in that district due to a mudslide.

“The river is expected to peak on Monday and forecasted river levels are within the capacity of the dike system. District staff will continue to monitor conditions and forecasts. Updates will be provided as necessary,” according to a post on the area’s website.


Evacuation alerts were issued early Monday morning by the City of Abbotsford Emergency Operations Centre for: Matsqui Village, Clayburn Village, Eagle Mountain Areas, Ten Oaks, Sumas Prairie, and Straiton Areas.

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A reception centre for displaced residents is set up in the Abbotsford Recreation Centre at 2499 McMillan Road for anyone displaced by the floods or landslides.

“Please avoid these areas if possible. Please do not attempt to travel past any of these closures. If you do not need to leave your home, please stay home,” the city said. 

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports.

Listen live to CityNews 1130 every 10 minutes on the ones for major traffic updates. You can also check our traffic page, follow us on Twitter @CityNewsVAN or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

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