Evacuation ordered for Abbotsford area when BC hit with more rain | The Canadian News

An evacuation order has been issued for the Huntingdon Village area of ​​Abbotsford as rain continues to fall in already soggy southern British Columbia.

Residents have been told to leave the area immediately while emergency crews work to support the evacuation effort.

Overnight flood alerts were also issued for the Tulameen, Similkameen, Coldwater and Nicola rivers.

The second in a series of atmospheric rivers moved on Saturday, bringing steady rains that Environment Canada does not expect to subside until this afternoon. However, a third atmospheric river, possibly one of greater intensity, is expected to arrive on Tuesday.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for 18 properties in the Pemberton Meadows area, while the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for an additional 49 properties outside of Merritt and Spences Bridge. Residents have been advised to pack essential items and be ready to leave at any time if conditions deteriorate.

Dozens of communities remain on flood alert and weather alerts are currently posted throughout southern British Columbia.

As a preventative measure, Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon, Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet were closed yesterday amid storm warnings. The Transport Ministry notes that roads were previously affected by extreme weather and says their reopening will depend on weather conditions.

3:09British Columbia floods: province on high alert as another atmospheric river floods west coast

BC Drive also reported overnight that flooding had forced the closure of a 3-mile stretch of Highway 7 in Maple Ridge.

In Abbotsford’s main agricultural area, Mayor Henry Braun said yesterday that while he was confident the city could handle this weekend’s rains, it could not withstand another overflow of the Nooksack River into Sumas Prairie.

The Nooksack runs south of the border, and Braun said US officials informed him that its levees were damaged in the latest flood.

The mayor added that he has spoken with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister John Horgan about the importance of supporting critical levee and drainage infrastructure in the long term.