B.C. Floods 2021

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. (Photo by Caroline Mostertman)

Class-action lawsuit filed to recoup losses from Sumas Prairie flooding in Abbotsford

Defendants were ‘grossly negligent’ in failing to properly warn residents, lawsuit states

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. (Photo by Caroline Mostertman)
A rail bridge washed out from the flood waters is pictured near Merritt, B.C. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Economic growth in British Columbia will face erosion from the recent floods and slides that crippled transportation links, but the resilience of government and industry to keep supply chains open limits the damage, says an economist. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Flood disaster takes bite out of B.C. economy, sends infrastructure wake-up call

Major highways and rail lines were destroyed in November’s storms

A rail bridge washed out from the flood waters is pictured near Merritt, B.C. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Economic growth in British Columbia will face erosion from the recent floods and slides that crippled transportation links, but the resilience of government and industry to keep supply chains open limits the damage, says an economist. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Great Canadian Flood Relief online concert takes place Dec. 19 with funds going to the Canadian Red Cross for people who lost homes and properties in B.C., Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Online concert will benefit flood victims nationwide through Canadian Red Cross

30 award-winning musicians lined up for Great Canadian Flood Relief concert

The Great Canadian Flood Relief online concert takes place Dec. 19 with funds going to the Canadian Red Cross for people who lost homes and properties in B.C., Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Vancouver Park Board has created a brand new beach for residents to enjoy. (Vancouver Park Board)

New Barge Chilling Beach makes its debut on Vancouver’s shoreline

Barge washed up on Sunset Beach during the mid-November storms

The Vancouver Park Board has created a brand new beach for residents to enjoy. (Vancouver Park Board)
Highways outside of Agassiz ground to a halt following a landslide triggered by torrential rain. Agassiz emergency workers and volunteers quickly responded to multiple distress calls along Highway 7. (File Photo)

Agassiz fire chief recounts dangerous week of flood rescues

No local firefighters were injured during dangerous rescue operations

Highways outside of Agassiz ground to a halt following a landslide triggered by torrential rain. Agassiz emergency workers and volunteers quickly responded to multiple distress calls along Highway 7. (File Photo)
Ninja survived the flooding on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford in mid-November and made his way back to his former home in Huntingdon – almost 20 kilometres away.

Ninja the cat survives Abbotsford flooding, travels almost 20 km to former home

Pet got away from owner during evacuation from Sumas Prarie home on Nov. 15

Ninja survived the flooding on Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford in mid-November and made his way back to his former home in Huntingdon – almost 20 kilometres away.
FILE – Motorists purchase fuel at a gas station in Kamloops, B.C., Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. British Columbia is lifting gas rationing measures put in place following recent devastating floods. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

VIDEO: B.C. to lift gas restrictions in southwest region, extends state of emergency

Gas restriction were first put in place in mid-November

FILE – Motorists purchase fuel at a gas station in Kamloops, B.C., Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. British Columbia is lifting gas rationing measures put in place following recent devastating floods. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Nearly 15,000 people were forced from their homes in southwestern B.C., where repairs on some severed highways and bridges have been made while the Coquihalla Highway, a major route to B.C.’s Interior, is expected to remain closed until late January. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Volunteers join forces to help clean up after unprecedented flooding in Abbotsford

Flood damage across B.C. is expected to cost $450 million

Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Nearly 15,000 people were forced from their homes in southwestern B.C., where repairs on some severed highways and bridges have been made while the Coquihalla Highway, a major route to B.C.’s Interior, is expected to remain closed until late January. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Farmer Avtar Dhillon was surprised to see that his saffron plants survived the catastrophic flooding that hit the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford in mid-November. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford saffron farm suffers major flood losses, but crop is in renewal

Small glimmer of hope amid devastating situation for Sumas Prairie family

Farmer Avtar Dhillon was surprised to see that his saffron plants survived the catastrophic flooding that hit the Sumas Prairie area of Abbotsford in mid-November. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
A chicken walks in front of a row of sandbags in Clayburn Village in Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, November 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Fraser Valley farmers say they may be forced to leave industry as post-flood costs pile up

Farmers were already facing a tough future as many had little feed for their animals after heat waves in the summer

A chicken walks in front of a row of sandbags in Clayburn Village in Abbotsford, B.C., Monday, November 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Qualicum Beach-based pilot Sigmund Bering Sort during one of his recent flood relief flights. (Sigmund Bering Sort photo)

B.C. pilot joins volunteer team flying relief supplies to flood-ravaged communities

‘It has been a crazy human experience’

Qualicum Beach-based pilot Sigmund Bering Sort during one of his recent flood relief flights. (Sigmund Bering Sort photo)
A collapsed section of bridge destroyed by severe flooding is seen in Merritt, B.C., in an aerial view from a Canadian Forces reconnaissance flight on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly 300 still in the dark in flood-ravaged Merritt area as BC Hydro works to restore power

City was evacuated on Nov. 15 when heavy rains led to river overflowing

A collapsed section of bridge destroyed by severe flooding is seen in Merritt, B.C., in an aerial view from a Canadian Forces reconnaissance flight on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Crews build an erosion control embankment along Hwy. 3 on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

B.C.’s storm recovery ‘trending in the right direction,’ but gas rationing to remain

Province is entering recovery efforts as storms subside

Crews build an erosion control embankment along Hwy. 3 on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Crews work to get the Trans Mountain pipeline running again after a series of storms in B.C. (Trans Mountain)

Trans Mountain pipeline restarts after weeks-long closure due to B.C. floods, landslides

The Trans Mountain pipeline restarted Sunday (Dec. 5), the company said in…

Crews work to get the Trans Mountain pipeline running again after a series of storms in B.C. (Trans Mountain)
A home has its foundation ripped away by the Coquihalla River near Hope, B.C., Thursday, December 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Financial assistance for flood-ravaged households, businesses expanded to cover more of B.C.

Approved claims between $1,000 and $300,000 will be covered up to 80%

A home has its foundation ripped away by the Coquihalla River near Hope, B.C., Thursday, December 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Lana Popham, B.C. agriculture minister, said only two per cent of the annual provincial turkey production has been lost due to recent flooding. (Jill Hayward photo)

98% of turkeys survived flooding, says B.C. Agriculture Minister

However, flooding could affect the cost of Christmas turkeys, says Lana Popham

Lana Popham, B.C. agriculture minister, said only two per cent of the annual provincial turkey production has been lost due to recent flooding. (Jill Hayward photo)
Snow forecast for areas of B.C. won’t affect the flood situation, and in fact will lessen effects, says Andrew Giles, of the B.C. River Forecast Centre. Pictured here, work in Washington state. (Black Press file)

Upcoming snowfall won’t affect B.C. flooding situation, say officials

Work to repair roads and infrastructure taking place says B.C. transportation minister

Snow forecast for areas of B.C. won’t affect the flood situation, and in fact will lessen effects, says Andrew Giles, of the B.C. River Forecast Centre. Pictured here, work in Washington state. (Black Press file)
Highway 1 is open between Chilliwack and Abbotsford in all lanes as flood waters recede and the Tiger Dam was disassembled. (Photo/B.C. Transportation)

Highway 1 reopens from Abbotsford to Hope

No travel restrictions, but drivers urged to limit to essential purposes

Highway 1 is open between Chilliwack and Abbotsford in all lanes as flood waters recede and the Tiger Dam was disassembled. (Photo/B.C. Transportation)
(DriveBC)

Mudslide closes Hwy. 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet

Slide comes as third atmospheric river comes to a close

(DriveBC)
Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C.’s year of extreme weather ‘consistent’ with climate change, meteorologist says

Each storm may not be as bad but the overall trends will be towards more extreme weather

Flood waters surround a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward