By Canadian Press / Fraser Valley Today Staff

Atmospheric River

Heavy rains closing highways and flooding properties throughout the Fraser Valley

Dec 10, 2025 | 9:26 PM

ABBOTSFORD — B.C. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene says highway closures have cut off the Lower Mainland from the Interior as a series of atmospheric river weather systems drench the province.

Greene told a news conference that the City of Abbotsford has also put about 1,000 properties under evacuation alert, while several properties in neighbouring Chilliwack were earlier put under evacuation order.

As of 9:30 p.m. local time, officials in Abbotsford upgraded the evacuation alert to an order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to flooding risk. They say residents in the affected area must leave immediately. Evacuation Alerts have also been issued for Sumas Prairie East and remain in place for the rest of Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village. Emergency responders are in the area to assist with the evacuation.

In addition to Highway 99 between Mt. Currie and Lillooet, closures have also hit Highway 1 where Janelle Staite with the Transportation Ministry says a “significant amount” of water is crossing the road near Hope and Highway 9.

Staite says closures are in place on Highway 7 west of Hope, Highway 3 in the Allison Pass area, and the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt.

Public Safety

BREAKING: Highway 1 closed between Sumas Way and No. 3 Road in Abbotsford

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Connie Chapman, executive director of water management, says that while rain in the Fraser Valley is easing, the Nooksack River across the U.S. border will continue to top its banks into early Thursday.

She says the volume of water coming out of the Nooksack is similar to the amount seen in 2021 when its outflows caused catastrophic flooding in the Fraser Valley, resulting in billions of dollars in damage.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2025.