'There's nothing to stop it': Floodwaters rising in Abbotsford as Nooksack River overflows

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun says he's increasingly concerned about rising waters in and around his cityas a series of atmospheric rivers continues to pummel B.C.'s South Coast.

During a newsconference on Sunday, Braun said Whatcom County in Washington state had advised that water has now risen above a dike on the Nooksack River, and it's pooling between the river and a nearby road.

Braun expectedthe waterflow to reach Abbotsford later Sunday,as existing sandbag walls are not enough to stop the Nooksack River.

"It's gonna go over Main Street [in Everson, Wash.], and then it's headed here. There's nothing to stop it after that," Braun said.

The city has received 100 millimetres of rain this weekend, snow is melting, temperatures are risingand more rain is forecast for the coming days. Braun said water levels in the Sumas Prairie lake bottom have risen 75 millimetres since Saturday.

Localized flooding has taken over the ClayburnVillage area of Abbotsford, which remains under evacuation alert, and Braun says water levels have reached about 450 millimetres.

Crews, including military personnel, continue to sandbag areas prone to flooding and other mitigation work is being done.Braun said the community has everything it needs to be prepared, thanks to help from the provincial and federal governments.

He said the city doesn't need more resources instead, they must wait and see what happens next.

"We can't just throw more stuff at it," Braun said.

"I am confident that we have done what we can do, and we are as ready as we can be for the event that is about to unfold."

WATCH | Dairy farmer Mike Dykshoorn talks about the anxiety faced by farmers inB.C.'s Fraser Valley:

B.C. dairy farmer feeling anxious after latest flooding in B.C.'s Fraser Valley.

3 years ago

Duration 0:44

Farmers like Mike Dykshoorn in B.C.'s Fraser Valley are anxiously watching waters rise again in the southwest region of the province just two weeks after catastrophic flooding.

The Ministry of Transportationclosed Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack at5 p.m. PT Sunday night out of concern for flooding on the highway.

And new evacuation orders were issued for propertiesinthe Huntingdon Village areaof Abbotsford. Later Sunday evening,evacuation orders wereissuedfor seven homes onthe city'sWhatcom Road, while other properties along Sandringham Drive were put on an evacuation alert followinga mudslide in the area.

Evacuation orders were also issued for homesalong Chilliwack Lake Road, east of Abbotsfordand also for Othello Road, which runs along the Coquihalla River.

Evacuation orders for residents of the Sumas Prairie and Straiton areas remain in effect.

"I would urge [residents]to heed our warnings, to obey the orders and to leave, because tomorrow the world may look quite different over there," Braun said.

Evacuees are encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services.