Abbotsford lifts all remaining evacuation orders, existing evacuation alerts

The City of Abbotsford says it has downgraded the last 11 properties under evacuation order to evacuation alert.

As well, it has lifted the existing evacuation alerts for 474 Sumas Prairie properties.

“As the floodwater has receded and the BC River Forecast Centre has downgraded the Sumas River from Flood Warning to High Stream Flow Advisory, all residents in Sumas Prairie can safely return to their properties,” the city said Wednesday afternoon.

“Rapid Damage Assessments were carried out on homes within the evacuation area observed to be impacted by the floodwaters prior to lifting the orders.”

A total of 341 homes have been assessed as “green,” meaning residents are permitted to re-enter the buildings. Twenty-eight properties were assessed as “yellow,” meaning access to the structures is subject to conditions.

The assessments were carried out on the outer structures of homes only, and not on the inside or on other buildings — including barns and sheds — on the properties.

The city recommends residents have their homes assessed with the support of their insurers.

Some road closures remain in place.

B.C.’s south coast was slammed by a series of atmospheric rivers beginning Dec. 10, leading to evacuation alerts and orders for many properties in the Fraser Valley due to flooding.