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Glen Valley residents put on flood alert

As the Fraser River rises, occupants of 150 homes in North Langley advised to be ready to go at a moment's notice

The rising level of the Fraser River has prompted the Township of Langley to put approximately 150 Glen Valley households on evacuation alert.

An evacuation alert was jointly issued by the Township and the City of Abbotsford on Wednesday to those living in the flood plain area of Glen Valley which is not protected by dykes.

Residents in unprotected areas of Northwest Langley, Brae Island, and McMillan Island were also put on alert.

“This is not an evacuation order,” said the Township’s public works director Roeland Zwaag.

“The alert is being issued so that people in at-risk areas have time to make preparations, should conditions change and they need to leave their homes on short notice,” Zwaag said.

Preparations should include finding alternative accommodation, ensuring homes are found for pets, and finding higher ground for livestock.

* medications

* eyeglasses

* valuable papers

* immediate care needs

* valuable keepsakes such as photos.

Notices of the alert were delivered by members of the RCMP on Wednesday morning.

Recent heavy rainfall over the Fraser River headwaters has led to rising river levels throughout the province. Environment Canada is forecasting more rain for the weekend.

Township engineering staff are patrolling the dykes and consulting with protective services, Langley Emergency Program staff, Environment Canada, and Abbotsford.

The Township and the Langley Emergency Program will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.

For more information and flood watch updates, visit:

* Langley Emergency Program website at langleyemergency.ca

* Township of Langley website at  tol.ca

* Township of Langley Facebook and Twitter channels – go to tol.ca and click on the social media icons.

Should the river overflow, the Township will activate its call centre at 604 533-6191. Recorded messages will be provided regularly to keep residents up to date on the situation and informed about what is to be expected.

Metro Vancouver has temporarily closed Edgewater Bar campground in Derby Reach Regional Park. Brae Island’s trails have been closed but the campground remains open.