Abbotsford remains on ‘high alert,’ more evacuations ordered due to flooding

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun says the city remains on “high alert” Sunday. Pounding rain, high temperatures, and rising water levels in the Nooksack River mean the situation in the Sumas Prairie remains volatile, with about 100 residents in Huntingdon Village already ordered to evacuate.

UPDATED: Evacuation order was issued for a portion of Huntingdon Village. Residents must leave immediately. The area includes: North Boundary: All of 2nd Avenue, South Boundary: USA Border, WestBoundary: Sumas Way, East Boundary: 2nd Avenue to Southern Rail incl. the Glass Plant pic.twitter.com/xsWOXJLuVi

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) November 28, 2021

Braun says two inches of water began pouring across the Canada-U.S. border around 3:00 a.m. It wasn’t coming from the Nooksack River in Washinton state but the projected flooding of that river remains the mayor’s key concern.

“This was a precautionary measure for residents in that area because we know that the Nooksack, which we’ve been watching very closely, is predicted to peak around noon. They’re predicting a moderate flood. We still don’t know what that means. But all of the fields between Everson and Abbotsford are soaked. The land can’t absorb any more water,” Braun explains.

“We are concerned that if the Nooksack breaches, the water will come much faster than we are accustomed to. That is a river that you don’t want to mess with. So we are very concerned.”

RELATED: ‘The rain, we can handle’: Abbotsford mayor carefully monitoring flood risk from Nooksack River

Braun says not everyone who has been ordered to evacuate has left, with some remaining in Huntingdon Village, as well as in other parts of the Sumas Prairie where orders were issued close to two weeks ago.

“There are people who have ignored the evacuation orders,” he says. “I understand why, but they need to look after themselves because it could get quite dangerous in the next few hours.”

More evacuation orders could be coming down, Braun warns, encouraging everyone to be prepared with what they need to flee at a moment’s notice.

Across the border, in Whatcom County, the National Guard was called in Saturday.

“The Guard is staging to assist local agencies with sandbagging, transportation of supplies, and providing support to Nooksack, Sumas, and Everson. In addition to preparing and distributing sandbags, responders are monitoring and barricading flooded roads, and staging for water rescues if needed,” says an update from the Whatcom County Sherriff’s Office.

Residents of the cities of Sumas and Everson were not ordered to evacuate Saturday night, but were encouraged to do so voluntarily.

“Based on the potential for flooding Sunday morning, we are recommending that you evacuate tonight as a precaution. Life safety is our primary concern,” says an update from the City of Sumas.

Officials in Whatcom county say the situation remains unpredictable, also warning of the possibility of cross-border flooding.

“There is uncertainty with how changes to the river channel and damages to the levee system may impact the flooding that results from this storm. Impacts could include levee overtopping at Main Street in Everson Sunday morning. Water may then move downstream to Sumas and across the border to Canada,” reads an update from Whatcom Countty officials.

#RiverForecastCentre has upgraded Tulameen, Similkameen, Coldwater, & Nicola Rivers to a Flood Watch (Nov 27 2021) All current warnings & advisories available at: https://t.co/DNqhshLjix

Follow @PreparedBC for #BCflood & #BCstorm preparedness tips

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) November 28, 2021

Elsewhere in B.C. a flood watch has been issued for the Tulameen and Similkameen Rivers, as well as the Coldwater and Nicola Rivers.

“Flooding last week has created increased vulnerabilities throughout the region and forecast flows, leading to increased risks to impacts from forecasted flows,” says an update from the River Forecast Centre.