Community supports Maple Ridge flood victims

Published 6:00 pm Friday, January 16, 2026

The community is supporting the people who suffered losses when their rental property flooded on Monday, Jan. 12 during the latest atmospheric river to hit Maple Ridge.

Almost $7,000 has been raised online for Sharmaen Seekins and her son Mack, who lived in a house on 224th Street that was swamped by water from the North Alouette River. Every room in the house was flooded.

They and their roommate Melanie Brooks, who is in a wheelchair, were rescued by firefighters with a boat, along with two cats, and a dog. The water was flowing too fast for them all to get out safely without assistance.

READ ALSO: Maple Ridge firefighters rescue household, woman in wheelchair, from flood

“They have been through quite a bit the past little while and this added stress has been devastating,” wrote Patty Lubchynski in the post for an online fundraiser.

“A lot of you in this community know this family and know how they have fundraised, volunteered and contributed for endless events and have given so many hours of their time to others selflessly,” she added. “Your kids have played sports or went to school with Mack. These are the people that will literally drop everything to be of help in anyway possible.”

They have to replace virtually everything. The water that invaded their house was filthy.

“Sharmaen thought she could save a few things by putting them high up but the reality is the contaminants and destruction of the water damage is really not safe,” said Lubchynski. “Sharmaen’s pride almost got in the way, she’s on the other side of things now, she needs the help and is struggling with that. This happened so fast.”

The online fundraiser is on gofundme.com titled “Support for Sharm and Mack Seekins.”

A separate fundraiser for Brooks has been organized by her father Bob at gofundme.com called “Please help Melanie. “

“Melanie woke up to a flooded house and had to be rescued by boat with her puppy and only what she is wearing, she has lost everything!” wrote Bob. “As you may know she is in a wheelchair and had to be rescued by boat so was unable to save anything.”

It has raised almost $2,000.

The tenants did buy renters insurance, but were not able to get flood insurance.

Brooks said they managed to save their clothes by putting them up high before they evacuated, but furniture and anything that can absorb water must be thrown away.

“And we are in desperate need to find a new home – the damage is so bad inside, and it is so unhealthy,” said Brooks. She and her roommate are looking for a three bedroom house.

Anyone who can assist them in finding a new place to live can call Sharmaen at 604-313-5973.