Justin Trudeau will visit flood-ravaged Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Friday

Key takeaways:

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will travel to Abbotsford, British Columbia, to see the flood-ravaged Fraser Valley hamlet.

On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will fly into British Columbia to visit the flood-stricken Fraser Valley hamlet of Abbotsford, which is still half-submerged as fresh atmospheric rivers approach the province.

According to his schedule, Trudeau will meet with Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth, Mayor Henry Braun, Sumas First Nation Chief Dalton Silver, and Matsqui First Nation Chief Alice McKay when he arrives in Abbotsford.

He’ll also visit with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. They have been assisting with the flood response and storm preparation in British Columbia and first responders and volunteers.

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The prime minister’s arrival in Abbotsford is not specified on the itinerary. At 8:45 a.m., he’ll travel to Montreal to meet with the city’s mayor.

Trudeau travels to Victoria after leaving the Fraser Valley to see Premier John Horgan, who was recently diagnosed with throat cancer but has remained on the job.

At 5:30 p.m., the two leaders will hold a joint media appearance.

Since last week’s epic storm, much work has been done to reopen B.C. roadways and clean up flood-affected towns, but there is still a long way to go.

On Thursday, the province announced that the popular Coquihalla Highway, which was damaged or swept away at roughly 20 sites, will not reopen until late January.

Officials in Abbotsford believe that the leftover floodwater in the eastern Sumas Prairie will take weeks to pump out.

Mayor Braun said personnel has been working hard to prepare for further rain, but there are still concerns about the Nooksack River in Washington state, outside of B.C.’s control. Last week, flooding from that river is alleged to have worsened the situation in Abbotsford.

A less severe storm hit B.C.’s South Coast on Thursday, and two more are forecast in the coming days. According to officials, the one expected to come on Tuesday will be the worst of the three.

Source: Global News

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