Heavy rain and and overflowing Nicomekl caused water damage to historic Michaud House in Langley City – Aldergrove Star

Historic Michaud House in Langley suffered a basement flood earlier this month when record rainfall caused the Nimekl floodplain to flood.

Sandra Reams, the caretaker who looks after the landmark, said about four feet of water seeped into the basement of the house and removed the water heater and stove.

Water from the overflowing Nicomekl flood plain filled the basement of the oldest house in Langley, the historic Michaud House at 5202 204th St. (Sandra Reams / Special to Langley Advance Times)

“You’re toast,” remarked Reams.

It’s the worst flood she has seen in Michaud in her 24 years, with the overflow into the back yard of the house at 5202 204th St.

“It came to the top of my elevated garden, which is about three feet high,” Reams reported.

“It was overwhelming.”

After living “pioneering” days with no heating or hot water, Reams said the hot water tank has been replaced and offers are being made for a replacement stove.

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Michaud House, the oldest house in Langley City, was built in 1888 by Joseph and Georgiana Michaud, the first French-Canadian family to settle in the Langley area. It was once a thriving dairy farm while the very first Roman Catholic mass was held inside the house.

In June 1977, the Town of Langley purchased the 19.54 acre farm and Michaud House.

The building was declared a Heritage Site in 1980 and has been restored by the Langley Historical Society and Arts Council.

Still owned by the Town of Langley today, Michaud House sits on 8.54 acres of land mostly made up of floodplain.

By a 2008 agreement, the Langley Heritage Society assumed responsibility for the house, one of several under their care.

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According to Environment Canada, Langley fell 52.4 millimeters of rain on Monday, November 15, beating the previous all-time record set in 1985 of 28 millimeters.

It was part of an “atmospheric river” that is created when columns of moisture over the Pacific Ocean collect in clouds of warm water and travel in a steam band, bringing with it torrential rains.

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