Abbotsford still recovering four years after devastating floods

Abbotsford is gradually recovering from the catastrophic floods that struck in November 2021, with infrastructure improvements underway, including repairs to the Cole Road Dike and the North Parallel Road Dike. The completion of a new floodwall at Barrowtown Pump Station aims to prevent future overflow incidents from the Nooksack River. A local farmer, who lost nearly $2 million in property and crop value, criticizes the city’s recovery efforts and the lack of financial support as insufficient. Sudeshna Nambiar, executive director of the BC Blueberry Council, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by farmers, particularly regarding soil conditions for blueberry planting. The city grapples with lengthy approval processes and environmental regulations that delay recovery efforts.

The floods devastated around 2,100 acres of blueberry crops, with significant losses across various field crops. Nambiar calls for tailored provincial strategies for disaster recovery, emphasizing that one-size-fits-all solutions are ineffective. The situation highlights the need for comprehensive flood prevention measures to protect the agricultural community in the Fraser Valley.