Residents of two properties in Chilliwack have been forced from their homes due to an immediate threat of landslides, a lingering danger from the severe atmospheric river storm that battered British Columbia's South Coast earlier this month.
Immediate Danger Prompts Evacuation Order
The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) issued the mandatory evacuation order on Friday afternoon for two homes located on Chilliwack Lake Road. Officials stated the move was due to an "immediate danger to life safety caused by landslide risk." The order compels residents to leave their properties immediately for their own safety.
State of Emergency Declared After Atmospheric River
This latest emergency stems from the powerful atmospheric river event that struck the region on December 10, prompting the FVRD to declare a State of Local Emergency. The intense rainfall led to widespread flooding, saturated soils, and significantly increased the risk of landslides across the region.
The Fraser Valley, still recovering from devastating floods in 2021, was hit hard once again. The December storm flooded farms, damaged infrastructure, and led to hundreds of evacuation orders at its peak.
Recovery and Alerts in Abbotsford
While the threat persists in Chilliwack, there is a measure of recovery elsewhere. The City of Abbotsford has provided an update for residents of the Sumas Prairie area, which was severely impacted.
Earlier this week, officials announced that residents could safely return to their properties. By Wednesday afternoon, the city had downgraded the remaining 11 properties under evacuation order to an evacuation alert. Furthermore, Abbotsford rescinded existing evacuation alerts for 474 properties in Sumas Prairie, indicating a cautious step toward normalcy for many.
The situation remains fluid, with regional authorities continuing to monitor ground stability and weather conditions closely. Residents are urged to heed all evacuation orders and alerts from local officials.
