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Homeowners holding off Fraser River flood waters - so far

Flood is in the hands of Mother Nature now, says Chilliwack-area resident.

Carey Point homeowners are holding their own against Fraser River high water — so far.

Area residents were sandbagging properties Friday morning, and a berm and check dam were holding back the river.

Three homes were evacuated in the area Thursday night as city officials feared the berm might be compromised, but it held through the night and into Friday.

"Everything is holding so far," said Will Davis, president of the Carey Road Improvement Area Society.

He said the prediction was that if the river level hit 6.1 in Mission, the water would be coming over the berm.

But the river had risen to 6.3 Friday morning without flooding.

How much higher could the river rise before the berm is compromised?

"We're not exactly sure," Davis said. "It just depends on Mother Nature now."

The timing of high and low tides and the arrival of "pulses" of high river water from upstream areas of the Fraser Basin can affect peak river levels, officials at the B.C. River Forecast Centre said.

River levels at Hope were expected to remain high through Friday and remain elevated over the weekend.

River Centre officials said the level may drop slightly early next week, but wetter weather across the province could lead to higher flows again later next week.