B.C. Floods 2021

Lowell Glacier in Kluane National Park, Yukon on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. The senior hydrologist with Yukon’s Department of Environment says there is a concern for flooding with record-high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Yukon hydrologist concerned about flood risk after cold April, record snowpacks

Rapid warming and significant rain would cause water levels in rivers to rise

Lowell Glacier in Kluane National Park, Yukon on Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. The senior hydrologist with Yukon’s Department of Environment says there is a concern for flooding with record-high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun told a senate committee on April 28, 2022 that the region is in urgent and desperate need for funds from senior levels of government to upgrade its diking system and other flood-mitigation infrastructure. (City of Abbotsford photo)

Flood funds needed now, Abbotsford mayor and FVRD chair tell senate committee

Henry Braun and Jason Lum speak as witnesses at federal meeting reviewing 2021 B.C. floods

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun told a senate committee on April 28, 2022 that the region is in urgent and desperate need for funds from senior levels of government to upgrade its diking system and other flood-mitigation infrastructure. (City of Abbotsford photo)
The Fraserglen Golf Course and Training Centre driving range was struck by disaster again during the historic flood of November 2021. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford’s Fraserglen Golf Course recovering from historic flood

The historic November 2021 flood wasn’t the first time golf course went under water

The Fraserglen Golf Course and Training Centre driving range was struck by disaster again during the historic flood of November 2021. (Submitted photo)
Natasha Cox with Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition (blue coat) takes folks on a tour of Hooge Wetlands in Chilliwack on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Behind them is a channel that was built in 2017 that connects with Peach Creek and runs through the wetlands. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Chilliwack’s Hooge wetlands score a victory for natural flood defence

The newly-created wetlands soaked up excess stormwater during last November’s flooding

Natasha Cox with Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition (blue coat) takes folks on a tour of Hooge Wetlands in Chilliwack on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Behind them is a channel that was built in 2017 that connects with Peach Creek and runs through the wetlands. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Trucks haul loads of rock on a section of Highway 8 along the Nicola River that had to be rebuilt after it was washed away during November flooding on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Major wildfires, droughts and mudslides last year dramatically altered the landscape, raising questions about the river’s ability to handle the spring thaw. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. communities struck by wildfires and floods brace for spring thaw

Wildfires, droughts and mudslides raise questions about Nicola River’s ability to handle spring thaw

Trucks haul loads of rock on a section of Highway 8 along the Nicola River that had to be rebuilt after it was washed away during November flooding on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Major wildfires, droughts and mudslides last year dramatically altered the landscape, raising questions about the river’s ability to handle the spring thaw. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

After the flood: First Nations along B.C.’s Highway 8 work on recovery

People grapple with tough questions about how best to rebuild after twin climate change disasters

A property affected by November flooding of the Nicola River is seen along Highway 8 on the Shackan Indian Band, northwest of Merritt, B.C., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Yukon provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Yukon’s snow survey shows record high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Yukon’s record snowpack adds potential for flooding during ice breakup

April survey usually represents the peak snow levels in most of the territory

The Yukon provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. Yukon’s snow survey shows record high snowpacks in many of the basins the territory monitors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A person stands outside a truck at a greenhouse supply store and nursery surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. British Columbia mayors whose communities were devastated by last year's flooding and wildfires want the federal government to deliver billions of dollars in promised funding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. mayors dealing with flooding and wildfire damage call on feds to deliver funds

Local government reps met federal and provincial politicians Monday to ask about their $5 billion

A person stands outside a truck at a greenhouse supply store and nursery surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. British Columbia mayors whose communities were devastated by last year's flooding and wildfires want the federal government to deliver billions of dollars in promised funding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Members of a Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association U15 team participate in “Adopt a Farmers Field” day on March 12, 2022 where they helped clean up flood debris on a farm in the Sumas Prairie. (Submitted)

Flooded Abbotsford farmers show gratitude to volunteers with free lunch

Event planned as a way to thank community for help through the flooding and cleanup

Members of a Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association U15 team participate in “Adopt a Farmers Field” day on March 12, 2022 where they helped clean up flood debris on a farm in the Sumas Prairie. (Submitted)
Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)

14 B.C. First Nations and communities receiving funds to create new evacuation plans

Disasters in 2021 proved importance of evacuating people quickly in large-scale emergency situations

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue helped evacuate residents impacted by the flooding on Martindale Road on Monday, Nov. 15. (Michael Briones photo)
The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photos by Caroline Mostertman)

Emergency preparedness ministers say a national flood insurance program is needed

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for emergency preparedness are working to…

The floodwaters that swept over Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie, starting on Nov. 14, destroyed Ripples Winery on Tolmie Road along with houses and barns on the property. (Photos by Caroline Mostertman)
Search and Rescue teams from across the Lower Mainland helped rescue people from the flooding in Abbotsford. (Central Fraser Valley SAR/Special to The News)

Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue awarded for rescuing 200 people during Abbotsford flooding

Team of volunteers awarded for outstanding efforts with inaugural John MacGregor Award

Search and Rescue teams from across the Lower Mainland helped rescue people from the flooding in Abbotsford. (Central Fraser Valley SAR/Special to The News)
The diking system on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford is among future infrastructure upgrades that are estimated to cost $3 billion, according to the city. Several breaches to the system, which have since been repaired, occurred during the November 2021 floods. (Photo: Abbotsford Police Department)

B.C. and Washington to work together on Nooksack flooding initiative

Initiative will work on both sides of border to address flood prevention and response

The diking system on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford is among future infrastructure upgrades that are estimated to cost $3 billion, according to the city. Several breaches to the system, which have since been repaired, occurred during the November 2021 floods. (Photo: Abbotsford Police Department)
Upper Sumas elementary suffered heavy damage during the flooding in November 2021. The district is working toward opening the doors again for students right after spring break. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)

Insurance to cover $1.66M in flood damage at Abbotsford school

Students expected to return to Upper Sumas elementary right after spring break

Upper Sumas elementary suffered heavy damage during the flooding in November 2021. The district is working toward opening the doors again for students right after spring break. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)
Flooding near Highway 11 on Nov. 17, 2021. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News file)

Temporary road repairs on Hwy. 11 in Abbotsford now complete

Highway has been under repair since catastrophic flood event last November

Flooding near Highway 11 on Nov. 17, 2021. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News file)
The diking system on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford is among future infrastructure upgrades that are estimated to cost $3 billion, according to the city. Several breaches to the system, which have since been repaired, occurred during the November floods. (Photo: Abbotsford Police Department)

Abbotsford flood-recovery costs could hit $120M, but future upgrades estimated at $3B

City to consider various funding sources to improve dikes and other infrastructure

The diking system on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford is among future infrastructure upgrades that are estimated to cost $3 billion, according to the city. Several breaches to the system, which have since been repaired, occurred during the November floods. (Photo: Abbotsford Police Department)
Catastrophic flooding hit Sumas Prairie in mid-November. This photo shows the middle median of HIghway 1 near No. 4 Road on Nov. 22, 2021. The westbound lanes are to the rear of the photo. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford seniors fighting $11K+ in border fines issued during Nooksack flood emergency

Lawyer says the border guards were ‘lacking compassion’ in dealing with seniors

Catastrophic flooding hit Sumas Prairie in mid-November. This photo shows the middle median of HIghway 1 near No. 4 Road on Nov. 22, 2021. The westbound lanes are to the rear of the photo. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)

‘Predictable and preventable’: Engineer says abandoned logging road contributed to fatal B.C. landslide

Fingers pointed only at intense storms when resource roads may be at root of many slides in province

This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)
Many homes on Fenchurch Avenue were destroyed and gutted by the flood. Spotlight file photo

Hundreds of Princeton flood victims face homelessness if no government intervention

Province struggles with outdated legislation binding it from funding a recovery camp

Many homes on Fenchurch Avenue were destroyed and gutted by the flood. Spotlight file photo
Samaritan’s Purse, which sent its disaster relief unit to Abbotsford to help in flood-recovery efforts in November, is among five organizations receiving a total of almost $600,000 on Monday, Feb. 14. (Photo: Samaritan’s Purse)

Abbotsford charity’s online platform raises $600K for flood recovery

Funds being disbursed Feb. 14 by GiveClear Foundation to recipients at Arnold Church

Samaritan’s Purse, which sent its disaster relief unit to Abbotsford to help in flood-recovery efforts in November, is among five organizations receiving a total of almost $600,000 on Monday, Feb. 14. (Photo: Samaritan’s Purse)
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