Residents of Sumas, Washington, and Abbotsford, British Columbia, are facing the aftermath of devastating floods, sharing a common struggle across the Canada-U.S. border. The recent flood on December 10 marked the second destructive flood in four years between the two regions, triggering flood sirens on both sides.
Efforts to address the recurring floods have been ongoing for years, with no definitive solution in sight. The mayor of Sumas expressed concern, hinting at the existential threat the floods pose to the city’s future. The damage caused by the December flood in Washington reached approximately 3,900 homes, with an estimated cost of $4-5 million in Sumas alone.
The catastrophic flooding was primarily a result of heavy rainfall causing the Nooksack River in Washington to overflow, affecting both cities. Residents voiced their distress, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent future disasters.
Proposed solutions include building a levee at a critical overflow point and exploring ways to widen the river and strengthen dikes. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of these measures on downstream areas. The Washington Department of Ecology is actively involved in planning dike setbacks to mitigate flooding risks.
In Abbotsford, potential solutions under consideration include installing a pump on the Sumas River and implementing flood prevention measures like strengthening existing dikes and creating new floodways. However, the mayor emphasized the necessity of government support to implement these solutions effectively.
While funding commitments from the government are crucial for infrastructure upgrades, specific promises for Abbotsford are yet to be made. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has announced a $6 billion fund to support local infrastructure projects over the next decade, but details regarding funding allocations are pending.
Both communities are grappling with the aftermath of the recent floods and are actively seeking sustainable solutions to mitigate future flood risks.