Evacuation alerts remain in place along Chilliwack River after days of heavy rain

Dozens of homes along the Chilliwack River remain under an evacuation alert due to higher river flows following days of heavy rain.

While the weather system that drenched much of B.C.’s south coast for most of the week has passed, several properties along the Chilliwack River remain under evacuation alert as water levels rise.

The Fraser Valley Regional District issued the alerts late Thursday afternoon for properties in Electoral Area “E,” specifically in the Sheldon Road area and Wilson Road area, citing “potential danger to life and safety” due to high river flows.

Fraser Valley Regional District Vice Chair Chris Kloot says they’re expecting the water levels to peak Friday night.

Kloot says they’re optimistic that no major flooding will occur; they are expecting levels to rise slightly higher than they did during the last major rain event in January.

• Read more: Fraser Valley District issues evacuation alert near Chilliwack River

“Out of an abundance of caution, we want people to be ready, should it warrant, to leave at a moment’s notice with the important things that they have ready to go,” said Kloot.

Crews from the district were out Thursday and Friday building up layers of protection for the homes that sit just metres from the river.

“I think the fact that the Fraser Valley Regional District is out mitigating this risk, rather than waiting for an emergency response, means a lot, and it means a lot to the neighbourhood,” said Rob Unrau, whose property is under an evacuation alert.

“It is an uneasy feeling. I woke up this morning to the water about a foot higher than it was yesterday,” Unrau said.

However, like his neighbours on the block, this feeling is not new to him.

“We’re going to hang out here, and if it looks like it’s getting three or four feet from the top of the dyke, then we’re probably going to pack our bags and go find some high ground,” Unrua said.