officials said they were not aware of any reports of human injuries and there have been several successful rescues, including one on the chilliwack river, where five people and four dogs had to be lifted out by helicopter.
a woman and two kids take in the view of floodwaters near the trans-canada highway and whatcom road area in abbotsford, b.c. on friday, dec. 12, 2025. more rain is expected through the weekend and early into next week, as the floodwaters continue to drain.
jason payne
/
png
‘profoundly disappointed:’ abbotsford mayor says feds failing to protect fraser valley
abbotsford mayor ross siemens expressed “profound disappointment” in how the federal government has failed to protect abbotsford from cross-border flooding.
“once again, the safety and the well-being of our residents, our farms, our livestock, provincial food security, provincial economy, and even our national economy remain unprotected and at risk,” said siemens at the news conference.
“to say that we are disappointed and frustrated is an understatement.”
farmland and properties in the sumas prairie, near the trans-canada highway and whatcom road, can be seen surrounded by floodwaters in abbotsford, b.c. on friday, dec. 12, 2025.
jason payne
/
png
siemens also said that officials in washington state need to work with canada on an international treaty to do more to mitigate flood risk.
he blasted the federal government for not contacting him during this latest crisis.
“we have done everything, including almost standing on our heads, to be noticed and to be heard and again, to be disappointed by our federal government,” he said.
“i need that long-term flood mitigation plan to be adopted sooner, as opposed to later.”