B.C. Floods 2021

Heavy rain flooded a bridge crossing Reay Creek in Sidney as well the path running along the creek at the bottom of Frost Avenue in mid-November. Town staff recommend eventual relocation of the sewage pump station seen here as a long-term solution. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney infrastructure performed well through November storms, despite some issues

Much of Sidney’s stormwater system needs upsizing based on growth, future rainfall projections

Heavy rain flooded a bridge crossing Reay Creek in Sidney as well the path running along the creek at the bottom of Frost Avenue in mid-November. Town staff recommend eventual relocation of the sewage pump station seen here as a long-term solution. (Black Press Media file photo)
Castle Fun Park is hoping to re-open later this year. (File photo)

VIDEO: Abbotsford’s Castle Fun Park begins rebuilding after flooding

Owners share footage from inside damaged building, announce potential re-opening date

Castle Fun Park is hoping to re-open later this year. (File photo)
Traffic moves along highway 1 as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, November 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. residents urged to brace for heavy rains, snowmelt leading to possible flooding

Snowmelt combined with rainy weather ahead could lead to flooding

Traffic moves along highway 1 as heavy rains form an atmospheric river continue in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, November 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The flooding appears to be caused by an ice jam along the Quesnel River. (Cassidy Dankochik Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Northern B.C. town sees flooding due to ice jam, as winter weather continues

The Quesnel River is completely covered by ice

The flooding appears to be caused by an ice jam along the Quesnel River. (Cassidy Dankochik Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
King tides encroach on Imperial Lane homes in Ucluelet on Jan. 2.

King tides surge along Tofino and Ucluelet coastline

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve urges residents and visitors to be CoastSmart

King tides encroach on Imperial Lane homes in Ucluelet on Jan. 2.
A house sits on high ground surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Premier John Horgan acknowledged an “exceptionally challenging” year in a statement on New Year’s Eve. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. farmers ‘white-knuckling’ their way through extreme cold after floods, heat dome

Remaining moisture in structures on Sumas Prairie may lead to even more damage from frost

A house sits on high ground surrounded by flooded farmland in Abbotsford, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Premier John Horgan acknowledged an “exceptionally challenging” year in a statement on New Year’s Eve. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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)

Class-action lawsuit filed to recoup losses from catastrophic 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. (Photos by Caroline Mostertman)
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
EMCON has marked the repairs to the sinkhole with cones and warning signs. These repairs are temporary, the road won’t be fully repaired until summer 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Jordan River sinkhole repair timeline concerns resident

Permanent repairs are planned for summer 2022

EMCON has marked the repairs to the sinkhole with cones and warning signs. These repairs are temporary, the road won’t be fully repaired until summer 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
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)
Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services fundraising co-ordinator Shirley Triemstra at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

Santa flight toy drive from Victoria touches down in Chilliwack

‘When we asked people to help out, the response was incredible,’ toy drive organizer says

Toy Drive organizer John-Andrew Pankiw-Petty of Victoria hands donated gifts to Chilliwack Community Services fundraising co-ordinator Shirley Triemstra at the Chilliwack Airport on Dec. 14, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
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)
Pop-up banner image