Monday - Jan 19 - Flood damage costs

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December's atmospheric river caused $74 million in insured damage across the Fraser Valley—the largest sum in BC. Our main feature from Robyn Bell explores why municipalities say billions are needed for flood mitigation while federal and provincial support continues to lag, four years after the devastating 2021 floods.

Closer to home, Hope Mountain Centre is seeking $4,000 to repair the popular Hope Lookout Trail after clearing fallen trees and erosion damage, and Howard Wong Farms is reopening in Matsqui this March after more than two years under new family ownership.

– Emily

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News & Features

December flooding caused $74M in damage in the Fraser Valley

The severe flooding caused by December's atmospheric river brought evacuations, power outages, and plenty of damage to homes and farms in the Fraser Valley. 

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the insured damage cost a staggering $74 million—the largest sum in BC, which saw $90 million in flood-related damages provincewide in December.

"Coming just four years after the devastating 2021 floods, this most recent flood damage is a painful reminder of the need to build BC's resilience and better protect communities from the new weather reality we face," said Aaron Sutherland, vice president of Pacific and West for IBC. 

In the years following the 2021 atmospheric river, BC released a 10-year flood strategy to better prepare for similar disasters in the future—but it came with no cost estimation or timeline on its actions.

In September, Metro Vancouver municipalities were told there was no new funding for the strategy, as BC’s deficit hit $11.6 billion. While the province says it’s given $27 million in flood-mitigation funding this year, municipalities say billions of dollars are needed. 

Federal support has also been lacking—Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens called out Ottawa’s inaction in December, saying the feds had previously rebuffed proposals from Fraser Valley municipalities to develop a flood mitigation plan and had not reached during the most recent flooding event. 

Keep reading»

Need to Know

🕊️ A celebration of life for 15-year-old Logan, who died in an Aldergrove house fire on January 7, will be held on Friday, January 23 at 3:30 PM at Aldergrove Canadian Reformed Church. [Langley Advance Times]

🥾 Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning is seeking $4,000 in donations to repair the Hope Lookout Trail after clearing at least 10 fallen trees and addressing erosion damage from heavy winter rains, with up to $2,000 matched by the Western Canada Community Project Society. [Hope Standard]

🌾 Howard Wong Farms in Matsqui is reopening March 7 under third-generation owners Brendan and Tamara Wong after more than two years, promising the same high-quality produce and customer service at 5486 Riverside Street. [Fraser Valley Today]

🚒 Hope paid-on-call firefighters will receive a $2.15 annual wage increase above BC minimum wage for the next three years starting retroactively in 2026 to improve retention and offset lost wages during incident response. [Hope Standard]

🇫🇷 More than 75 people gathered at Centennial Park in Mission on January 10 for "FrancoFun!" celebrating Francophone culture with live music, storytelling, crafts, and outdoor games supported by a City of Mission winter grant. [Mission Record]

🦅 The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve in Chilliwack reopened almost all trail systems and its Interpretive Centre and Gift Shop, with only the Tower Trail remaining closed due to a dangerous tree requiring arborist attention. [Chilliwack Progress]

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🗓 Things to do

Tom Green: Stompin' Comedy Tour: Actor and broadcaster Tom Green performs stand-up, career stories, and original songs on Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 PM at Chilliwack Cultural Centre with tickets from $57.20 and a $50 VIP meet-and-greet add-on.

Buzz Brass: Quebec-based brass quintet Buzz Brass performs "Famous Inspirations" on Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 PM at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford, featuring brass arrangements of classical masterpieces by Ravel, Debussy, Dvorak, and others.

Fraser Valley Thrift Market: A vintage and collectibles market returns to Chilliwack Heritage Park on Saturday, January 24 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with $2 admission and vendor tables available for $30.

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