With record amounts of rain, City of Chilliwack officials are asking residents to restrict water use to avoid overtaxing the sewer system.
By 4 a.m. on Sunday morning 80 millimetres of rain had fallen in Chilliwack in the second of three atmospheric river events, and continued much of the day.
By early Monday morning it was still raining, in the wake of the Nooksack River flooding at Everson Sunday night.
Mayor Ken Popove said if there was any bit of good news, it was that the Sumas River level rose to 4.85 metres but the dikes are 7.1 metres high, so the water was “well within” protected levels.
“Early Monday they opened the flood boxes again at Barrowtown flood station,” Popove said.
In Chilliwack some roads were washed out in areas but still passable including areas of concern on: Chilliwack Mountain, Majuba Hill and Ryder Lake.
City crews worked through the weekend on flood watch, keeping drainage courses clear of debris, monitoring water levels in dikes and culverts, and ensuring pre-filled sandbags were available in multiple locations.
FVRD issued evacuation alerts for properties on Chilliwack Lake Road and Wilson Road on Nov. 28.
The Chilliwack School District said all schools will be open for staff and students on Monday, Nov. 29, but there are busing disruptions, with details on their Ride 360 app or on the website.
For the students in the Columbia Valley, Maple Falls Road was closed. Pick up and drop off at Henderson/ Columbia Valley Road or Kosikar Road/Canyon Rd.
In Yarrow there was no busing on Majuba Hill. Pick up and drop off is at Yarrow Community School.
In Abbotsford there were more evacuations, due to flooding and landslides, as the Nooksack River flooded at Everson.
The entire Hatzic Valley was put on evacuation alert by FVRD, while some properties in Chilliwack River Valley were evacuated.
“We are already experiencing some localized flooding on roads,” according to the Chilliwack “situation update” of Nov. 28.
The updates, sometimes several times a day, are at chilliwack.com/floodwatch
Chilliwack residents are asked to reduce their water use, such as holding off on laundry until Thursday (Dec. 2).
“Due to all the rain, our sewer system is once again taking in a lot of water. In order to help out the sewer system and prevent backups, we are asking that all residents reduce their water use in things like laundry until Thursday (Dec. 2).”
Staff will continue to post updates as the situation changes.
Pre-filled sandbags can be picked up from lot at Townsend Park and in Yarrow at the Masonite Door parking lot (Yarrow Central and No. 3 Road). Sand and bags are available for self-fill at the Yarrow sports field.
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