The flood watch continues for Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley, with several areas in and around Abbotsford experiencing localized flooding due to the Sumas River.
The BC River Forecast Centre had initially issued a flood warning for the Sumas River on Sunday (Jan. 28) at 1:45 p.m., but that was then downgraded to a flood watch about eight hours later.
At the Sumas River off of Vye Road in south Abbotsford. It’s high pic.twitter.com/xPE5Z4bEUl
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 29, 2024
There was also positive news from the City of Sumas, who stated on Facebook that the river crested at Everson and the level is slowly working its way back down. They indicated localized flooding will occur and it could take several days to return to normal.
The City of Abbotsford has closed three roads – Straiton Road from Willet to Clayburn Road, Clayburn Road between Highway 11 and Wright StreeBateman Road between Highway 11 and Wright Street/Latimer. They have also closed three parks – Willband Creek Park, MacDonald Park and Hougen Park. It was observed that Abbotsford’s Boundary Road is partially flooded as of Monday (Jan. 29).
Boundary road in south Abbotsford has a flooded road sign on it pic.twitter.com/2TknUYoYcx
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 29, 2024
More from Boundary Road pic.twitter.com/gf4bht7bOu
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 29, 2024
BC Minister of Emergency Management Bowinn Ma said on X (formerly Twitter) that the ministry is monitoring conditions closely.
“Though the Sumas River is high, forecasters do not currently anticipate flooding impacts to the Sumas Prairie. We’re working directly with communities and ready to deploy flood assets if needed,” Ma said.
We are monitoring conditions closely. Though the Sumas River is high, forecasters do not currently anticipate flooding impacts to the Sumas Prairie. We’re working directly w communities & ready to deploy flood assets if needed. Follow @PreparedBC for more info on being prepared. https://t.co/cJ63hA0aYN
— Bowinn Ma (@BowinnMa) January 28, 2024
According to the advisory, a series of storms have delivered 50 to 200 mm of rain through most of coastal B.C. since Friday (Jan. 26) with more expected in the coming days.
“Temperatures are expected to warm during this period, and snowmelt at lower and mid-elevations will provide additional runoff to rivers,” the advisory reads.
High flows on the Nooksack River in Washington have reached local flood stage with the Nooksack River near Cedarville gauge reaching 147.2 ft at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
“Additional hazards for overflow from the Nooksack may be present from the incoming storm systems on Monday through Thursday, however hydrologic modelling from the Northwest River Forecast Center with the US National Weather Service is not forecasting this scenario,” the advisory says.
Rivers are expected to experience periods of high flows into next week with peak levels in most areas from Monday to Tuesday (Jan. 30).
More tips for residents on heavy rainfall can be found on our website (https://t.co/970rll0plL).
— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) January 29, 2024
🚘 Current Road Closures:
- Straiton Road from Willet to Clayburn Road
🌳 Current Park Closures:
- Willband Creek Park
- MacDonald Park
- Hougen Park
Here’s how it looks down onto the valley from near the top of Whatcom Road. Some significant patches of flooding. The region is currently under a flood watch #abbotsford pic.twitter.com/0CWG49ZlvC
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) January 29, 2024
With files from: Dillon White/Black Press Media
