Flooding possible this week for low-lying areas of Fraser Valley

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BARNSTON ISLAND (NEWS 1130) – In the Lower Mainland, the swollen Fraser River is expected to top the six-metre level today, but it needs to be about half a metre higher to cause any major flooding.

A few evacuation orders are still in effect for areas not protected by dikes.

They include 18 homes under evacuation orders on Nicomen Island between Hope and Mission, as well as nine at Harrison Bay near Chilliwack.

Alerts are still in effect for more than 500 properties across the Fraser Valley including up to 70 homes on Barnston Island where Metro Vancouver’s Rob Nicholls says the entire island is still at risk.

“All of the residents are fully aware of what preparations are in place and we’re keeping them aprised of the changes in the risk level associated with the flooding, as well.”

Nicholls says access to the island which is only accessible by ferry is still restricted.

“The projections we’ve received from the River Forecast Centre are all fairly positive in that they’re not reflecting any significant threat levels and although everything has stabilized quite well right now, until we get their projections for end of week and next weekend and any increased flows from the northern and central Interior, we won’t have a full level of confidence that we’re out of the woods.”

He adds a few Metro Vancouver park trails remain closed until further notice.

“Protecting a heritage house in Derby Reach park, positioned some of our flood response equipment to protect things like pumping stations, waste transfer stations and that, should levels exceed what was originally projected.”

Meanwhile, volunteers continue filling sandbags for about 260 properties in the Township of Langley’s Glen Valley, Brae Island and McMillan Island, as well as Northwest Langley.

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