Here's what you need to know about the evacuations in Abbotsford

Flooding at the intersection of Whatcom Road and North Parallel Road in Abbotsford (Abbotsford Police Department/Twitter).

Evacuations continue in Abbotsford on Tuesday morning as a result of the torrential downpour brought by an atmospheric river over the weekend.

The past 24 hours have seen rising water levels and a localized landslide affecting the Sumas Prairie.

Sumas Prairie and the rising water levels are changing hourly. The first photo was taken at 11:42am with the second being taken at 4:27 pm. In just over 4 hours, the water had risen significantly. #Abbotsford pic.twitter.com/EItvbFX8HF

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) November 16, 2021

This is Highway 1 at Whatcom right now. Completely flooded, please be patient with our @AbbyPoliceDept members who are out there keeping you safe. I heard several people yelling at our officers blocking road. Be patient. Very proud of all #FirstResponders & @CFVSAR #ProudChief pic.twitter.com/H2RxxxY0OO

— Mike Serr (@ChiefSerr) November 16, 2021

Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing evacuation order and what’s currently happening in Abbotsford.

You might also like:

When was the order issued and which areas are affected?

The order was first issued on Monday at 1:40 pm and has since been updated for the entire area of the Sumas Prairie to the Chilliwack Border, which includes the following areas:

Sumas Mountain, DeLair Road, and Old Yale Road to the north
The United States Border to the South
Chilliwack City border to the East
The ridge west of Railway Road to the West

NEW EVACUATION ORDER ISSUED: The Emergency Operations Center has now issued an evacuation order for the entire portion of the Sumas Prairie to the Chilliwack border. Water levels are rising very quickly. Residents are being asked to evacuate IMMEDIATELY. pic.twitter.com/KqxFrHKsoG

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) November 16, 2021

Which areas are under evacuation alerts?

The following areas are under evacuation alert, according to the City of Abbotsford website:

What you need to do if you’re evacuating the area:

According to the City of Abbotsford’s most recent evacuation order, here’s what you need to do if you’re leaving the area:

Follow the travel route and register at the ESS Reception Centre located at the Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre on 1190 Cornell Street, or the Chilliwack Senior Secondary School at 46369 Yale Road.
Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, outside of refrigerators and freezers
Close all windows and doors
Close gates, however, do not lock them
Gather your family, as well as neighbours or anyone else who needs transportation (if space permits)
Do not use more vehicles than necessary
Bring critical items such as medicine, purses, and wallets if they are immediately available
Take pets in a pet kennel or on a leash
Do not attempt to use the telephone unless you need emergency service

Where can evacuated residents get more information or access services?

Evacuees that have questions can contact the Public Information Line at 604-864-5688. Those that need access to services can visit a Reception Centre near them.

Road closures due to flooding or mudslides

The City of Abbotsford has also listed the following road closures:

Roads closed due to flooding:

0 Ave – Langley to Ross Rd.
2nd Ave
Bateman Rd (Hwy 11 – Wright)
Bates Road
Bell Rd – Page Rd to Harris Rd
Bell Rd (5800 Blk)
Boundary and No. 5
Clayburn
Clayburn Village to Hwy 11
Fore Rd – Beharrell Rd to Hwy 11
Fore Rd (34800 Blk)
Gladwin Rd – Downes to Townshipline
Gladwin Rd. S of King Rd.
Gladys underpass
Harris Rd – Mt.Lehman to Ross
Hwy 1: Sumas River – Sumas Way
Lonzo Rd and Vedder Way
McCallum Rd at Industrial
North Parallel at Eldridge
Riverside @ Matsqui Park (Fore to Beaton)
South Fraser Way at Fishtrap
South Parallel at Cole and Whatcom East Lefeuvre Road
Sumas Mtn @ Page Rd.
Sumas Mtn Rd – N of Dawson Rd.
Townshipine and Bell
Valley Rd
Vye Rd E of HWY 11
Vye Rd & Whatcom Road
Vye Rd @ Bowman Road
Willet Road

Roads closed due to mudslides:

Cranberry Court
Gladwin Rd – Downes to Townshipline
Majuba Hill
Old Clayburn Rd and Mount Blanchard Dr.
Old Yale Road – Marion to Arnold
Straiton Road – Clayburn to Willet

What police and city officials are currently doing

The Abbotsford Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is currently working with municipal and provincial partners to respond to the ongoing flooding. The EOC also includes city managers and staff.

“Our main priority at this point is the safe evacuation of human life,” the Abbotsford Police Department says in a Tweet. “This is a very dynamic situation.”

Arial assessments are also being done in Sumas Prairie.

When is the next major update expected?

At this point in time, the next major update is expected at 4 pm, when City of Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun and Emergency Support Staff will hold a press conference.

The conference will be streamed on the City of Abbotsford YouTube channel.