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VIDEO: Mudslide leads to evacuation orders on Abbotsford’s Whatcom Road

Seven units in Forest Ridge neighbourhood issued evacuation orders on Sunday

The Forest Ridge neighbourhood in east Abbotsford on Whatcom Road saw seven units receive an evacuation order and several adjacent properties on Sandringham Drive were issued evacuation alerts issued after a mudslide on Sunday (Nov. 29).

The News spoke to a resident, who stated the slide occurred at around 3:30 to 4 p.m. and the sound was similar to a gravel truck followed by bangs like loud cannon shots.

The Forest Ridge area, located at 2842 Whatcom Road, is a 34-unit strata complex which was completed in 2004. The gated complex is located within Lower Sumas Mountain Park.

According to Emergency Operations Centre media, property owners have engaged geotechnical consultants to assess the situation and specify needed repairs.

They added that the order and alert will remain in place until the consultants have confirmed the repairs have been implemented and the area is safe. The city of Abbotsford has not received a timeline for this work.

EOC also pointed out that the slide originated on private property and impacted another private property, and as such, the city of Abbotsford is not involved in assessing the damage or coordinating repairs.

Video by: Andy Holota/Black Press

RELATED: Evacuation order issued for Abbotsford townhouse units after mudslide

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A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press)
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A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press)
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A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press)
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A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press) A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press)
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A mudslide has led to evacuation orders for seven properties in the Forest Ridge neighbourhood on Whatcom Road. (Andy Holota/Black Press)


Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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