Evacuation alert issued for Barnston Island


Barnston Island’s 110 residents should prepare for a potential evacuation over the Canada Day long weekend, said Metro Vancouver.

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An evacuation alert has been issued for Barnston Island due to fast-rising waters on the Fraser River.

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Metro Vancouver issued the alert Thursday morning as a precautionary measure, warning the island’s approximately 110 residents they should prepare for a potential evacuation over the Canada Day long weekend.

Barnston Island, located on the Fraser River between Surrey and Pitt Meadows, has many livestock and farms, and Metro Vancouver spokesman Greg Valou said farmers should consider moving their livestock to safer ground.

“We’re encouraging farmers to start moving their livestock off the island in preparation for a potential evacuation order,” he said.

The Barnston Island ferry is currently running. Once an evacuation order is issued, people will have priority over large animals.

Metro Vancouver, which is responsible for emergency management in Electoral Area A, which includes Barnston Island, has issued a state of local emergency.

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Access to Barnston Island is restricted to residents, businesses and those who have family in the area. Barnston Island Regional Park is also closed.

The alert comes as rising water levels on the Fraser River accelerated last week during the warm weather and continues to rise steadily.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre, Environment Canada, and Emergency Management B.C. predict increasing river flows over the next several days, due to snow melt and rain.

Metro Vancouver has staff monitoring river levels, patrolling dikes, and deploying sandbags, it said in a statement. It has also established a command post onsite to co-ordinate evacuation activities.

Residents are asked to prepare to leave their homes at a moment’s notice. They are asked to gathering essential items such as medication, eyeglasses, valuable documents, and pets; know the location of household members and determine a meeting place if separated during a potential evacuation; and arrange accommodations, if possible, in the event of an evacuation.

Residents of Barnston Island who has questions about the evacuation alert are asked to call Metro Vancouver’s information centre at 604-432-6200, or email [email protected].

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