‘It’s so heartbreaking’: Sumas Prairie farmers return to flooded homes

It’s been weeks since Satpal Sangha was forced to leave what he calls his dream home in the flood-devastated Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford.

Now that water levels have dropped enough to enter, he returned for the first time since leaving.

“I don’t know where to start now or what to do,” he said with a sigh. “It’s so heartbreaking.”

“Gone, everything’s gone.” -Satinder and Satpaul Sangha stepped inside their Sumas Prairie home in Abbotsford for the first time since being forced to leave. More tonight on @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/HzpdeNlsIE

— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) December 4, 2021

His front door is marked by flooding, showing just how high the water was.

But with the locks busted, Satpal and his wife Satinder had to enter through the garage.

They were greeted by an elegant chandelier hanging above a disaster of debris and water.

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• Abbotsford Mayor lifts evacuation order for Northern Sumas Prairie

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• ‘I built it as a dream house’: Sumas Prairie farmers still struggling to comprehend loss

It’s hard now to imagine the life they built for their family there, they say.

“Everything is shattered. All the memories are gone, every single thing,” said Satinder. “Every single thing we buy, we have a connection with. Look at the furniture. I never let anything happen to my — anything. On furniture, if there’s any little bit of water, I wipe it right away. Now it’s all gone. Everything’s gone.”

Just days earlier, Satpal brought CityNews as close as he could to the house. The former home builder says he realizes how much work is ahead of them to repair the damage, and it’s his first time undertaking such a major flood recovery project.

Farmers drove me as close as they could to their flooded properties in Sumas Prairie. More coming on @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/zwrxS3MGr2

— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) December 2, 2021

He has a business in Prince Rupert that he can’t reach with routes closed, adding to the pressure on the family.

“My trucks are running there now. I can’t go there, but I’m having a really hard time now. I can’t leave here to go there,” he said. “I’m really stressed.”

Meantime, wooden pallets that used to be on the far side of their yard have washed into the kitchen, bringing more debris with them.

“You can see that bell pepper on it. Maybe it’s our neighbours because they do vegetable farms,” said Satpal.

DECEMBER 3 UPDATE: The Evacuation Order has been rescinded for Sumas Prairie North. An evacuation alert will remain in effect in this area until further notice.

View the Return Home Plan website for full details.

??https://t.co/dCH0hmsv2x pic.twitter.com/49Fok2rMnI

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) December 3, 2021

With their floors and walls damaged by water and appliances destroyed, their thoughts are now on the restoration ahead.

“The main floor is gone. We have to do everything new — all the doors, drywall, insulation, electricity — every single thing,” said Satpal.