Image: Adam Melnyk / Dreamstime /A photo shows a Fraser Valley farmer's field flooded due to torrential rains in November 2021.

By Don Mitchell

2021 Flood

Abbotsford “remains vulnerable” to a significant flood event: mayor

Nov 15, 2024 | 1:52 PM

ABBOTSFORD – Despite work to reinforce riverbanks already completed and a new pump station on the horizon, Abbotsford’s mayor admits the municipality “remains vulnerable” to a “significant flood event.”

On the three-year anniversary of the devastating flood, Ross Siemens stated that components of the forthcoming $76 million Barrowtown Pump Station and other enhancements, such as the stabilization of the Sumas Riverbank, will “increase flood resiliency” across the region.

However, even with upgrades, he expressed caution due to the extended timelines for long-term flood mitigation.

“While these and the previous advancements put us in a better position than we were in prior to the 2021 flood, there are still a couple more years of repair work ahead of us,” Siemens said.

Though it’s been three full years since the devastating flood of November 2021, the impacts and efforts for recovery and long-term mitigation remain top of mind and part of our daily work here at the City of Abbotsford. pic.twitter.com/G0AiZJcDbF

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) November 14, 2024

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The atmospheric river brought an unprecedented amount of rain to BC, impacting roads, bridges, and cutting off access to several areas of the province.

This included a nine-day closure of the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Valley.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimated the 2021 flood resulted in $450 million in insured losses, not including damage to public infrastructure.

Siemens also made a plea for the federal government to “actively participate” while talks with U.S. counterparts over the Transboundary Flood Initiative are ongoing.

Abbotsford joined the provincial government, Washington State, and other local governments and First Nations in signing the Transboundary Flood Initiative, an agreement committing to find solutions that support communities on both sides of the border.