Abbotsford mayor tells residents to get emergency kits, prepare for next round of rain

The City of Abbotsford is getting ready for the next atmospheric river expected to hit B.C. this week.

The mayor is urging people in his community who could be affected by the next round of rain, which is expected to move in Wednesday night, to be prepared.

“Prepare an emergency kit for you and your family so that you are self-sufficient for at least 72 hours with food, water, clothes, and a battery-operated or wind-up flashlight,” Mayor Henry Braun said.

“It’s also important to ensure that your vehicles are fueled and parked in an area that will allow you to evacuate quickly, if required. If you are looking to protect your property right now, sand and sandbags are available at both Albert Dyck Park and Yarrow Hardware.”

The mayor is also urging everyone to check in on their neighbours.

The City is monitoring weather forecasts and doing detailed water monitoring to better predict the coming storms. We are prepared, and ask that residents be prepared, too! pic.twitter.com/tRVtEMkuy2

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) November 23, 2021

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4. Ensure your vehicles are fueled and parked in an area that will allow for you to evacuate quickly if required.
5. Protect any hazards on your property, sandbags are available at Albert Dyck Park at 31515 Walmsley Ave & Yarrow Hardware.

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) November 23, 2021

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Lower Mainland, also warning of even more precipitation, starting mostly overnight Wednesday.

While both CityNews 1130 Meteorologist Michael Kuss and Environment Canada note this upcoming system will not be as intense as the one that triggered mass flooding and mudslides across southern B.C. last week, it is expected to bring significant rain and wind.

“We are using projections to anticipate water levels and how they will intersect with the status of our dikes,” Braun explained. “All of the repair and reinforcement work to the dikes so far have been done to ensure we have the best protection possible, should the Nooksack River overflow again and water comes in from Washington state.”

Related article: Prepare for more rain: Next weather system set to move in Wednesday night

He says four main areas that needed repairs “make up less than one per cent” of the entire diking system.

“As of today, the main dike repair is about 80 per cent complete. We expect another five feet of height to be added to the dike prior to the weather event anticipated for Thursday,” Braun said, adding crews are sandbagging at the Barrowtown Pump Station.

The main repair on Sumas Dyke is about 80 per cent complete. We expect another 5 feet of height to be added to the dyke prior to the weather event anticipated for Thursday. pic.twitter.com/MduXWkPgbB

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) November 23, 2021

Members of the military have been in Abbotsford helping farmers with feed delivery, looking for weaknesses along the dike, cleaning culverts, and are also doing some preventative sandbagging in the Matsqui Prairie area to the north, which was also heavily hit by the downpours last week.

Braun says he’s hopeful these measures and others will put the city in the best position ahead of the rain that is expected to ramp up starting Thursday.

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On Monday, an evacuation order was downgraded to an alert for homes and businesses north of Highway 1 between Sumas Way and Whatcom Road, after rapid damage assessments were completed. On Tuesday, Braun emphasized that doesn’t necessarily mean people can go back home, noting some buildings will need more assessments and work before it’s safe.

Placards have been placed on the front doors of buildings to advise people of the assessment results.

“We’re in it for the long haul and we hope to be in the best position possible with the weather events to come,” Braun said.