Highway 3 Left Scarred as Atmospheric River Batters Southern Fraser Valley
What’s been unfolding in southern British Columbia over the past few days is a stark reminder of how powerful nature can be, especially when an atmospheric river sets in and refuses to let up. Photos released this week show extensive destruction along Highway 3, one of the key routes through the Fraser Valley, and the images are hard to ignore. Roads have been torn apart, slopes have given way, and entire sections now look more like construction sites than a major highway.
According to provincial transportation officials, around 23 different locations along Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton have been damaged. The destruction has taken many forms. In some areas, rockfall has covered lanes. In others, debris has been washed across the roadway, shoulders have been undermined, and culverts have either been exposed or completely blocked. Pockets of standing water have also been seen pooling along the route, making travel unsafe even where pavement still appears intact.
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Because of the scale of the damage, the highway remains closed, and for now, there is no clear timeline for when it might reopen. Crews are assessing each site, but repairs can only move as fast as conditions allow. Officials have said updates will continue to be shared, but drivers are being warned not to expect a quick fix. This is not a single washout that can be patched overnight; it’s a long stretch of road that has been compromised in multiple ways.
All of this damage is part of a broader flooding crisis across the southern Fraser Valley. The same atmospheric river that battered Highway 3 has forced evacuations, closed roads, and pushed local governments into declaring states of emergency. Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley Regional District have all taken that step as floodwaters overwhelmed fields, neighbourhoods, and critical infrastructure.
Meteorologists say more rain is on the way, although it’s expected to be less intense than the system that caused the worst of the damage earlier in the week. Even so, the ground is already saturated, and rivers and creeks remain high. That means even moderate rainfall can trigger further flooding or slope failures, especially near highways and riverbanks.
For residents and travelers, the message has been consistent: stay alert, follow official advisories, and avoid closed routes. For many in the region, memories of the devastating floods of 2021 are still fresh, and while officials say this event hasn’t reached that scale, the stress and uncertainty feel very real.
As cleanup and assessments continue, Highway 3 stands as one of the most visible symbols of this storm’s impact. What was once a routine drive through the mountains has been transformed into a vivid example of how quickly extreme weather can reshape the landscape, and how long the road back to normal can be.
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