Abbotsford issues evacuation alerts for Sumas Prairie, Clayburn Village amid flood warning

Residents and farmers in Abbotsford are bracing for the possibility of significant flooding as atmospheric rivers soaking the region cause rivers to rise.

Residents of 940 properties in the western half of Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, as well as its Clayburn Village neighourhood, have been asked to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.

The city issued an evacuation alert for people in those areas Wednesday afternoon amid a strong atmospheric river that is expected to cause the Nooksack River in Washington state to overtop its banks.

“The most potentially impacted properties will receive hand-delivered notices from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department and others,” the city said in a news release.

Mayor Ross Siemens posted a video update online Wednesday, saying the situation is being closely monitored and acknowledging it is likely troubling for residents.

“We recognize that the heavy rain and localized flooding that we are experiencing is likely causing some anxiety, given the events of 2021,” Siemens said.

Flooding from the Nooksack River contributed significantly to the catastrophic floods in Sumas Prairie in November of that year.

The director of Abbotsford’s Emergency Operations Centre, which opened earlier Wednesday, said when the Nooksack River overflows, the water will take approximately seven hours to cross the border.

“We anticipate flooding maybe more than what it was seen in 2020 but not as significant as the 2021 event,” Erick Peterson said.

“Of course, conditions and forecasts are always subject to change, and we are actively monitoring river levels, dikes and road conditions closely.”

B.C.’s River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for the Sumas River, meaning “river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.”

The small city of Sumas, Wash.—which shares the border with Abbotsford—issued an evacuation order and sounded its flood siren Wednesday afternoon.

“Leave as soon as possible,” that city’s order says. “The amount of time it takes for the water to reach Sumas can vary, and the evacuation routes out of Sumas will be closed once the water reaches them.”

According to the Abbotsford Police Department, the Sumas border crossing has been closed to commercial traffic to facilitate evacuations.

Sandbags are being made available at Abbotsford’s public works yard, and municipal staff are monitoring the Barrowtown Pump station and clearing catch basins across the city.

Residents are urged to monitor updates from the city as the day progresses.