Fraser Valley Flooding Triggers Major Highway Closures and Growing Uncertainty
The situation in the Fraser Valley has taken another stressful turn after a powerful atmospheric river swept through the region, overwhelming local waterways and pushing communities into a difficult and uncertain reality. Throughout the night, floodwaters continued to rise, and a series of major road closures, school shutdowns, and evacuation orders were issued, leaving thousands of residents on edge.
One of the most significant developments has been the closure of key transportation routes. Highway 1 was shut down between Sumas Way in Abbotsford and No. 3 Road in Chilliwack after water spilled across the roadway. Although Highway 1 to the Interior and the Coquihalla Highway have been reopened, Highway 3 remains completely closed. Officials have explained that nearly two dozen sections of that route were washed away, making it unsafe to travel. The Sumas-Huntington border crossing also remains off-limits as floodwater from Washington State’s Nooksack River continues to push northward into British Columbia.
Evacuation orders expanded rapidly on Thursday night. In Abbotsford, seven more properties north of Highway 1 were placed under full evacuation order, including a hotel, a government building, and several addresses around North Parallel Road and Whatcom Road. Existing evacuation orders also remain in effect for more than 450 properties across Huntingdon Village and Sumas Prairie West. On top of that, over a thousand more homes in Sumas Prairie East and West are under alert, meaning residents must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. An online interactive map has been launched to help people track which areas are affected.
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Schools have been deeply impacted as well. All public schools in both Abbotsford and Chilliwack are closed, with officials emphasizing that safety must take priority during such unpredictable conditions.
On the ground, the emotional toll is becoming increasingly evident. In the Huntingdon neighbourhood, residents stood helplessly as water surged across the border and into their streets. On Second Avenue, dozens of homes were breached quickly, and families who had hoped the water might recede instead found themselves rushing to gather whatever belongings they could. Many described the experience as frightening and exhausting, unsure of what the next hour would bring.
Sixty-six farms in the region were also put under evacuation order. Farmers scrambled to move livestock and equipment to higher ground. For some, like Curtis Friesen of Jem Farms, this has become an all-too-familiar routine. After enduring multiple floods, he described the experience as draining, but said farmers simply have to do the best they can.
Officials now expect flood levels to peak early Friday morning. While river levels in Washington have begun dropping, overflow water is still flowing toward Abbotsford, and another atmospheric river is forecast to arrive Sunday into Monday, potentially adding more strain to already swollen waterways.
With uncertainty still ahead, provincial officials are expected to deliver more updates as the situation evolves.
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