Image: City of Abbotsford Evacuation Alert map

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Evacuation Order

Abbotsford declares state of local emergency, upgrades to evacuation order on parts of Sumas Prairie West

Dec 10, 2025 | 11:05 PM

Update 11:05 p.m.: The City of Abbotsford has now declared a state of local emergency and upgraded the evacuation alert on 371 Sumas Prairie West properties to an evacuation order.

The remaining areas, as well as Sumas Prairie East and Clayburn Village, remain under an evacuation alert.

A Reception Centre has been established at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road) for immediate shelter and support for residents affected by the evacuation orders.

Flood water is expected to arrive at the border early Thursday morning (Dec 11). An interactive map showing all areas impacted by evacuations is available online through the City’s website.

The original story follows:

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ABBOTSFORD — A large area of Abbotsford has been placed under an Evacuation Alert by the City of Abbotsford. The affected areas include properties in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village.

According to city officials, the Nooksack River in Whatcom County in Washington State, is expected to flood its banks Wednesday (Dec. 10) afternoon. The overflow will travel north into Sumas Prairie West. It is believed the flood waters will take about 7 hours to travel north into the Abbotsford area.

Image: Evacuation Alert map issued by City of Abbotsford. / City of Abbotsford

Those with properties that have the highest likelihood of being impacted will be receiving hand delivered notices by Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, the Abbotsford Police Department and others.

In the meantime, residents of Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village are being urged to plan ahead and be prepared to leave their properties if the need arises.

Although the Sumas border crossing has been prone to flooding from the Nooksack River, Clayburn Village is more affected by weaker flooding protections on the Matsqui Prairie. Issues in both areas have been worsened by the 2021 weather event, with flood recovery work still underway as of November this year.

City crews are monitoring river levels, dikes and road conditions closely. Plans are underway to close Cole Road at the dike between Wellsline Road and Vye Road Wednesday evening.

The City says sand and sandbags are available to the public at the Public Works Yard at 31739 King Road. You will need to bring your own shovel to fill the bags.

Earlier Wednesday the BC River Forecast Centre issued a Flood Warning for the region. Further conversations with provincial experts suggests flooding may be more than what was seen in 2020, but not as widespread as the 2021 atmospheric river event.

The City of Abbotsford website has more flood information.