Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl lauds heroes, farmers and volunteers on 1-year anniversary of B.C. floods and mudslides

CHILLIWACK — On the one-year anniversary of the devastating B.C. floods and mudslides that ravaged the Fraser Valley, including Sumas Prairie and critical farm land west of Chilliwack, Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl delivered a statement in the House of Commons Wednesday (Nov. 16) acknowledging the heroic efforts of farmers, public works crews, and volunteers alike.

“It’s been one year this week since many B.C. communities, including my own, were devastated by flooding and mudslides,” Strahl said in a news release that was also posted to his Facebook page. “We mark the anniversary of this event, but more importantly the selflessness and heroism of the people who took action to help their fellow British Columbians in their time of need.”

Flood relief efforts resulted in people and organizations providing food and shelter to stranded individuals, Strahl pointed out.

There were “people who provided food and shelter to stranded strangers,” Strahl said, as well as “farmers who put their lives at risk to save the animals on Sumas Prairie. Volunteers who filled sandbags through the night to save a threatened pump station, farms and family homes. Angling guides providing critical search and rescue services. First responders, soldiers and road crews all doing whatever was needed to keep us safe.”