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Flood levels abating in west Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford, but not in the northeast

City hopes to open floodgates at Barrowtown on Thursday or Friday
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Mayor Henry Braun says flood levels are starting to abate in the western portion of Sumas Prairie but not yet in the northeast. (City of Abbotsford)

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said flood levels have continued to abate on Sumas Prairie, and the Barrowtown Pump Station is operating at full levels, but there is still work to be done.

Braun, speaking at a press conference late Wednesday afternoon, said flood waters are continuing to flow northeast across Sumas Prairie, although they have dropped in the western portion.

The City of Abbotsford was able to rescind an evacuation order on Wednesday that had been in place for Huntingdon Villlage – just west of Sumas Prairie – and a small area west of Sumas Way from the border to Lonzo Avenue.

“We know this is a significant commercial area, and we are pleased for the businesses along that corridor that will be able to begin the process of resuming their operations in the coming days,” Braun said.

RELATED: Evacuation order rescinded for Abbotsford’s Huntingdon area

He said the Huntingdon border crossing will remain closed at this time.

Braun said the city has not yet been able to open the floodgates at the pump station because the level of the Fraser River has not yet dropped below the level of the Sumas River. But they are hoping for that situation to change in the next 24 to 36 hours.

A total of about 220 people were rescued by air or water overnight Tuesday and on Wednesday after the city issued an emergency evacuation order, urging anyone who had not yet left to do so.

But Police Chief Mike Serr said about 40 people have so far chosen not to leave. He urged those people to leave, even if they have seen the water recede in some areas.

“I can tell you that this is still a dynamic situation … This can change very quickly,” he said.

PHOTOS: Abbotsford from above after destructive flooding



vhopes@abbynews.com

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Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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