UPDATED: 5PM, NOVEMBER 17, 2021 – Chilliwack, BC: After carefully monitoring the flood situation in Abbotsford, the City of Chilliwack is downgrading the evacuation order for Yarrow and Majuba Hill to an evacuation alert, except for 3630 Sand Road; 3510, 3480, 3410, and 3300 Boundary Road; and 41375, 41419, 41475 and 41509 No. 5 Road. These nine properties remain under evacuation order. An evacuation alert means that residents who return should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

 

Several positive factors have led to the City’s decision to rescind the evacuation order for most properties and move to an alert. The water in the Nooksack River is dropping considerably, which will diminish flow into Abbotsford. The Fraser River continues to drop and officials estimate that by tomorrow they should be able to open the flood gates, which will reduce water levels. The pumps are also working at Abbotsford’s Barrowtown pump station. Should the worst case situation occur and the pumps stop working, the water will rise very slowly, first in Abbotsford, giving Yarrow residents an opportunity to leave the area safely.

 

As the area remains under an evacuation alert, residents should remain prepared to leave if the situation changes. Livestock that have already been evacuated from Yarrow should remain safely out of the area until the alert is rescinded.

 

Keith Wilson Road and Vedder Mountain Road are open for residents to return home. Heavy trucks, such as fuel and feed trucks, should only use Keith Wilson Road to enter Yarrow. The RCMP will be at checkpoints to ensure residents remain aware of the evacuation alert.

 

Updates will be posted online at chilliwack.com/FloodWatch as information becomes available.

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: 11:30 AM November 17th: Chilliwack, BC: Last night, the situation in Abbotsford continued to pose a threat of flooding in Yarrow. Chilliwack staff monitored water levels throughout the evening and remained in contact with Abbotsford for regular updates on the status of their Barrowtown pump station.

 

Although the Barrowtown pump station is an Abbotsford asset, it is currently only accessible from the Chilliwack side, making it possible for City staff and volunteers to help flood efforts in Abbotsford last night. More than 200 Chilliwack residents, Chilliwack Operations staff, and Chilliwack paid-on-call fire fighters assisted in protecting Abbotsford’s pump station. The group built a 25 meter long sand bag wall to protect the pump station. Local business owners and contractors also donated time, equipment and material to help protect the site.

 

“The amazing efforts of Chilliwack residents and staff made a significant impact on flood efforts last night,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “In an emergency situation, it is important for neighbours to help each other out, and that’s exactly what Chilliwack has been doing for Abbotsford throughout this emergency situation.”

 

While in Abbotsford, the Barrowtown pump station plays an important role in flood protection for the Yarrow area. Streams and ditches from Yarrow and Sumas Prairie drain to that pump station, where they are pumped out to the Sumas/Fraser River. Currently, there are significant additional flows going to the Barrowtown pump station due to the Nooksack River flooding. Chilliwack City staff will continue to closely monitor the status of the Barrowtown pump station, because if it stops operating, water levels would back up and cause additional flooding in Sumas Prairie and Yarrow.

 

At this point, flooding from Sumas Prairie into Yarrow is limited but staff are continuing to review the status of the Nooksack River, local drainage systems, and Barrowtown pump station. Staff are currently analysing possible flood extents should the Barrowtown pump station fail and its impact on Yarrow. At this time, the evacuation order remains in effect for the community of Yarrow and Majuba Hill.

 

The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre in Chilliwack has been serving residents that have been evacuated from Chilliwack and Abbotsford. As of 8:00 am on November 17, volunteers have registered approximately 642 people. Last night, 160 people spent the night at Evergreen Hall, resulting in the need to open a second location, the Chilliwack Landing Sport Centre, which saw another 30 people stay the night. Today, the Reception Centre has moved to the Landing Sports Centre and will continue to register evacuees as needed.

 

Chilliwack Emergency Operations Centre will continue to monitor the situation closely and connect with other local and provincial authorities. Residents are reminded that the evacuation order is still in effect for Yarrow and Majuba Hill and that access to those areas will only be permitted for emergency personnel. The RCMP continues to patrol the area.

 

Please continue to respect road closures and drive cautiously, as many roadways still have standing water or debris.

 

Updates will be posted online at chilliwack.com/FloodWatch as information becomes available.

Filed under: Chilliwack, Flood, update, Yarrow