Parts of Fraser Valley still recovering a month after atmospheric river

A month after devastating floods spurred on by an atmospheric river left a path of destruction in the Fraser Valley, many residents are still rebuilding their lives.

Most people are back in their homes, according to Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens, who tells 1130 NewsRadio sectors like dairy and poultry are operating.

“The cleanup is messy. The cleanup will take a long time. There are some fields where the train track blew out. One of our larger farmers has got some major challenges in the fields, so that’ll be ongoing. Our blueberry farmers and some of those damages, we’re not really going to comprehend what’s happened on some of those fields until the spring. The golf course is a real challenge again. I really feel for those folks,” said Siemens.

At the city level, the mayor says Abbotsford has waived fees and is expediting permits to help move the recovery process along.

“We’re doing more cleanup. More curbside pickup. And advocating and working with industry leaders to ensure that those voices are being heard by the provincial government.”

On the frontlines, Siemens says it’s a difficult time for many farmers, who, for the second time in five years, have seen their livelihoods torn apart by Mother Nature.

“These are expensive operations. There is a lot of anxiety about what do we do for the future? How do we prepare for our future? How do we invest? These are fourth-generation farms, so these are young people who are really questioning, ‘Do I want to continue to do this?’ These are important conversations the province has to be in, and the federal government need to be aware of.”

He points out that if farmers pack up and leave, it could have a detrimental effect on food security in B.C.

“There are reports that show this land is the most fertile and productive land in North America, and my understanding is… outside of the Nile Valley, this is the next best farmland in the world. There are some significant issues at play here, especially for the future of farming and food security.”

Siemens wants to be clear about what farmers want.

“These farmers aren’t asking for handouts. These farmers are asking that we protect them from being flooded, that they are afforded the ability to continue to feed the province. They’re asking for themselves… it goes so much more beyond just their livelihoods.”

Siemens has been among those calling on the federal and provincial governments to do something to protect the region from future disasters like this. He says there have been discussions at both levels, but as of yet, there have been no major commitments.

“I’ve had a couple of really good meetings [with the federal government], and we have another one set up. I know the province is leaning in, so I’m optimistic that we’re making some headway here.”

Siemens says it’s too early to know exactly how much last month’s damage cost, but says it was a “significant hit” to the country’s economy.

“If I do the paper-napkin calculation about what the freeway closure cost for four days — if you take $65 billion of annual trade and divide that by 365 days, and extrapolate the four days it was closed, you’re close to half a billion dollars.”

Siemens says the provincial government has agreed to monthly meetings to discuss the region’s concerns as he pushes for increased federal funding for his city.

“To have to go through a grant application for something this important to the national economy — I will be offended if I have to go through that process. This is funding that should be made available because of how important it is, to not just Abbotsford, not just the province, but to the federal economy as well. Often times, we are not heard, and it’s unfortunate that it has to take this type of event to raise awareness.”

—With files from Maria Vinca