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Rainfall brings re-flooding to areas of Abbotsford, sparking plea from police

‘Within the last hour the water level within the eastern part of the Sumas Prairie is beginning to rise’
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Abbotsford on a rainy Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Andrew Franklin/Black Press Media) Abbotsford on a rainy Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Andrew Franklin/Black Press Media)

Sunny skies have once again been replaced with rainy weather in the Fraser Valley, causing rising water levels in areas of Abbotsford and Chilliwack already on high alert from flooding.

Abbotsford Police issued an urgent plea for people to respect the barriers they have setup in flooded areas.

“Within the last hour the water level within the eastern part of the Sumas Prairie is beginning to rise. Roadways that were dry an hour ago now have flowing water.”

The force noted that police direction isn’t being listened to by some, causing public safety concerns.

In an update Thursday morning, Mayor Henry Braun voiced concern for the forecasted rain.

The Barrowtown Pumpstation continues to work full tilt, and there is no change to conditions at the site which remains closely monitored by emergency crews.

ALSO READ: Abbotsford mayor concerned about forecasted rain as floodwater continues to pour from U.S.

“We are still not pumping anywhere near the amount of water out of the system than is coming in,” Braun said. “I’m not concerned about today’s rain … I’m concerned about next week and what’s coming.”

Approximately 80 to 100 millimetres of rain is expected next Tuesday, and it’s going to take weeks to pump out all the water, Braun said.

The water levels continue to fluctuate over Sumas Prairie, and Braun said that if the dike breaches aren’t fixed soon, the former 10-foot deep lakebed could reform.

295 MM OF RAIN: Abbotsford, Hope set precipitation record

– with files from Patrick Penner


@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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